GVSU vs. Defiance College

Comparable Facts

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

Grand Valley State University is larger than Defiance College based on total student enrollment (22,011 students vs. 568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grand Valley State University is located in Allendale, MI (Large Suburban setting); Defiance College is in Defiance, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• Grand Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Defiance College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grand Valley State University 15:1; Defiance College 11:1.

GVSU vs. Defiance College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GVSU or Defiance College? 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 Valley State University than Defiance College ($17,198 vs. $26,298).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 8.4% lower than at Defiance College ($11,550 vs. $12,606).
• Defiance College is 93.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than GVSU (about $14,180 more per year; $29,320.00 vs. $15,140.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.1% higher at Defiance College than at Grand Valley State University (about $7,772 more per year; $29,320.00 vs. $21,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Defiance College than at Grand Valley State University (99% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Defiance College students is 141.5% larger than aid received by Grand Valley State University students ($27,024 vs. $11,188).

GVSU vs. Defiance College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GVSU or Defiance College? 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 Defiance College and GVSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grand Valley State University (1070) is 80 points higher than at Defiance College (990).
• Incoming GVSU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 20 at Defiance College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grand Valley State University 940/1190; Defiance College 860/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grand Valley State University 22/30; Defiance College 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GVSU - Test optional; Defiance College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: GVSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Defiance College (3.12).
• GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Defiance College (47.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at GVSU vs. 21.6% at Defiance College.

GVSU vs. Defiance College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GVSU and Defiance College? 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).

• Grand Valley State University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Defiance College's (51%).
• Graduates from Grand Valley State University earn a median of about $900 more per year than Defiance College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $43,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grand Valley State University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Defiance College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, GVSU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Defiance College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Defiance College students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 58%)

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.