GVSU vs. Bluffton University

Should I go to Grand Valley State University or Bluffton University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GVSU or Bluffton University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Grand Valley State University vs. Bluffton University comparison
Grand Valley State University Bluffton University College 3 College 4
Grand Valley State University Bluffton University
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Overview

GVSU Bluffton University
Location Allendale, MI Bluffton, OH
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 22,269 678
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #559
Religious Affiliation - Mennonite Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gvsu.edu bluffton.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

GVSU Bluffton University
Tuition (In State) $14,628 $35,498
Tuition (Out of State) $20,820 $35,498
Room & Board $11,142 $11,866
Avg Net Price $17,995 $21,299
Avg Grant Aid $8,925 $29,291
% Receiving Grant Aid 86% 100%

Admission

GVSU Bluffton University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 24,297 2,873
Admitted 23,008 1,757
Acceptance Rate 94.7% 61.2%
Enrolled % 21% 10.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.26
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Moderate Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/28 17/23
SAT Range 940/1190 920/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2026

Academics

GVSU Bluffton University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Business (41%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Work and Family Studies (4%)

Outcomes

GVSU Bluffton University
Graduation Rate 63% 59%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $40,600
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 67%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $279

Diversity

GVSU Bluffton University
% Men 4% 4%
% Women 10% 7%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 83% 85%
% Black 5% 6%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

GVSU Bluffton University
% In-State 91% 79%
% Out-of-State 8% 19%

Campus

GVSU Bluffton University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Grand Valley State University is larger than than Bluffton University based on total student enrollment (22,269 students vs. 678 students)

GVSU vs. Bluffton University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GVSU or Bluffton University?

  • Bluffton University is 142.7% more expensive to attend than GVSU for in-state tuition ($35,498.00 vs. $14,628.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 70.5% higher at Bluffton University than Grand Valley State University ($35,498.00 vs. $20,820.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Grand Valley State University than Bluffton University ($17,995 vs. $21,299)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 6.5% lower than costs at Bluffton University ($11,142 vs. $11,866)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bluffton University than Grand Valley State University (100% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bluffton University students is 228.2% larger than aid received Grand Valley State University ($29,291 vs. $8,925)

GVSU vs. Bluffton University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GVSU or Bluffton University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Bluffton University or GVSU .

  • The average SAT score at Grand Valley State University (1090) is 118 points higher than at Bluffton University (972)
  • Incoming GVSU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Bluffton University (21)
  • Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Bluffton University (3.26)
  • GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (94.7%) than Bluffton University (61.2%)

GVSU vs. Bluffton University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GVSU or Bluffton University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Bluffton University and GVSU.

  • The graduation rate at GVSU is higher than Bluffton University (63% vs. 59%)
  • Graduates from Grand Valley State University earn on average $4,000 more per year than Bluffton University graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $40,600)
  • Grand Valley State University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Bluffton University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • GVSU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Bluffton University graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More Bluffton University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GVSU students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 62%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/