GVSU vs. Capital University

Should I go to Grand Valley State University or Capital University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GVSU or Capital 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. Capital University comparison
Grand Valley State University Capital University College 3 College 4
Grand Valley State University Capital University
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Overview

GVSU Capital University
Location Allendale, MI Columbus, OH
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 21,648 2,617
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #583 #543
Religious Affiliation - Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gvsu.edu capital.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

GVSU Capital University
Tuition (In State) $13,952 $39,900
Tuition (Out of State) $19,856 $39,900
Room & Board $10,140 $12,308
Avg Net Price $17,105 $24,439
Avg Grant Aid $8,811 $28,469
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 98%

Admission

GVSU Capital University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,123 4,370
Admitted 15,474 3,153
Acceptance Rate 90.4% 72.2%
Enrolled % 25% 16.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.63
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/27 18/24
SAT Range 960/1210 960/1186
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, 2025 May 1, 2025

Academics

GVSU Capital University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Human Services (9%)

Outcomes

GVSU Capital University
Graduation Rate 63% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $47,300
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $279

Diversity

GVSU Capital University
% Men 38% 40%
% Women 62% 60%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 83% 75%
% Black 5% 10%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 3%

Students

GVSU Capital University
% In-State 91% 94%
% Out-of-State 8% 4%

Campus

GVSU Capital 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 Capital University based on total student enrollment (21,648 students vs. 2,617 students)

GVSU vs. Capital University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GVSU or Capital University?

  • Capital University is 186% more expensive to attend than GVSU for in-state tuition ($39,900.00 vs. $13,952.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 100.9% higher at Capital University than Grand Valley State University ($39,900.00 vs. $19,856.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Grand Valley State University than Capital University ($17,105 vs. $24,439)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 21.4% lower than costs at Capital University ($10,140 vs. $12,308)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Capital University than Grand Valley State University (98% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Capital University students is 223.1% larger than aid received Grand Valley State University ($28,469 vs. $8,811)

GVSU vs. Capital University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Capital University (1133) is 43 points higher than at GVSU (1090)
  • Incoming Capital University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at GVSU (24)
  • Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Capital University (3.63)
  • GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than Capital University (72.2%)

GVSU vs. Capital University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GVSU or Capital 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 Capital University and GVSU.

  • The graduation rate at GVSU is higher than Capital University (63% vs. 61%)
  • Graduates from Capital University earn on average $2,700 more per year than GVSU graduates after ten years. ($47,300 vs. $44,600)
  • Grand Valley State University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Capital University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • GVSU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Capital University graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More Capital University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GVSU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 62%)

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