Grand Rapids Community College vs. GVSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Grand Rapids Community College in Grand Rapids, MI with Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Grand Valley State University is larger than Grand Rapids Community College based on total student enrollment (22,011 students vs. 12,468 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grand Rapids Community College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Grand Valley State University is in Allendale, MI (Large Suburban setting).
• Grand Rapids Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Grand Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grand Rapids Community College 19:1; Grand Valley State University 15:1.

Grand Rapids Community College vs. GVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grand Rapids Community College or GVSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Grand Rapids Community College than GVSU ($9,720 vs. $17,198).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Rapids Community College are 20.1% lower than at Grand Valley State University ($9,227 vs. $11,550).
• Grand Valley State University is 82.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Grand Rapids Community College (about $6,851 more per year; $15,140.00 vs. $8,289.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.3% higher at GVSU than at Grand Rapids Community College (about $9,329 more per year; $21,548.00 vs. $12,219.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grand Valley State University than at Grand Rapids Community College (90% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grand Valley State University students is 77.9% larger than aid received by Grand Rapids Community College students ($11,188 vs. $6,288).

Grand Rapids Community College vs. GVSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Grand Rapids Community College or GVSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between GVSU and Grand Rapids Community College.

• Grand Rapids Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsGrand Valley State University 940/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsGrand Valley State University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grand Rapids Community College - Open admission; GVSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GVSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.65 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Grand Rapids Community College (3.0).

Grand Rapids Community College vs. GVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grand Rapids Community College and GVSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Grand Valley State University earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than Grand Rapids Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $33,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grand Rapids Community College graduates have a $15,792 lower median loan debt than GVSU graduates ($9,208 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Grand Rapids Community College graduates have an estimated $163 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GVSU graduates ($95 vs. $258).
• More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Grand Rapids Community College students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 34%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.