GVSU vs. Finlandia University

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

GVSU Finlandia University
Location Allendale, MI Hancock, MI
Setting Large Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 22,269 450
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #559
Religious Affiliation - Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gvsu.edu finlandia.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

GVSU Finlandia University
Tuition (In State) $14,628 $25,346
Tuition (Out of State) $20,820 $25,346
Room & Board $11,142 $9,978
Avg Net Price $17,995 -
Avg Grant Aid $8,925 $0
% Receiving Grant Aid 86% 0%

Admission

GVSU Finlandia University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 24,297 -
Admitted 23,008 -
Acceptance Rate 94.7%
Enrolled % 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 2.89
Typical High School Grades B+ B-
Admissions Standards Moderate Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28
SAT Range 940/1190
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2026 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

GVSU Finlandia University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Health Professions (42%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Education (8%)

Outcomes

GVSU Finlandia University
Graduation Rate 63% 35%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $279

Diversity

GVSU Finlandia University
% Men 4% 52%
% Women 10% 48%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 83% 65%
% Black 5% 10%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 15%

Students

GVSU Finlandia University
% In-State 91% 32%
% Out-of-State 8% 34%

Campus

GVSU Finlandia 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 Finlandia University based on total student enrollment (22,269 students vs. 450 students)

GVSU vs. Finlandia University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GVSU or Finlandia University?

  • Finlandia University is 73.3% more expensive to attend than GVSU for in-state tuition ($25,346.00 vs. $14,628.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 21.7% higher at Finlandia University than Grand Valley State University ($25,346.00 vs. $20,820.00)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Finlandia University are 11.7% lower than costs at Grand Valley State University ($9,978 vs. $11,142)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Grand Valley State University than Finlandia University (86% vs. 0%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Grand Valley State University students is ?% larger than aid received Finlandia University ($8,925 vs. $0)

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

  • The average SAT score at Grand Valley State University (1090) is 204 points higher than at Finlandia University (886)
  • Incoming GVSU students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Finlandia University (19)
  • Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.76 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Finlandia University (2.89)

GVSU vs. Finlandia University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at GVSU is higher than Finlandia University (63% vs. 35%)
  • Graduates from Grand Valley State University earn on average $7,500 more per year than Finlandia University graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $37,100)
  • Grand Valley State University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Finlandia University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • GVSU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Finlandia University graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Finlandia University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 56%)

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