GVSU vs. Kent State

Comparable Facts

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

Kent State University at Kent is larger than GVSU based on total student enrollment (26,374 students vs. 22,011 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grand Valley State University is located in Allendale, MI (Large Suburban setting); Kent State University at Kent is in Kent, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Grand Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kent State University at Kent is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grand Valley State University 15:1; Kent State University at Kent 20:1.

GVSU vs. Kent State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GVSU or Kent State? 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 Kent State ($17,198 vs. $21,278).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 16.3% lower than at Kent State University at Kent ($11,550 vs. $13,794).
• Grand Valley State University is 14.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kent State (about $1,908 more per year; $15,140.00 vs. $13,232.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.1% higher at Kent State than at Grand Valley State University (about $1,534 more per year; $23,082.00 vs. $21,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kent State University at Kent than at Grand Valley State University (95% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grand Valley State University students is 11% larger than aid received by Kent State University at Kent students ($11,188 vs. $10,076).

GVSU vs. Kent State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GVSU or Kent State? 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 Kent State and GVSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kent State University at Kent (1130) is 60 points higher than at GVSU (1070).
• Incoming GVSU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at Kent State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grand Valley State University 940/1190; Kent State University at Kent 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grand Valley State University 22/30; Kent State University at Kent 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GVSU - Test optional; Kent State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GVSU May 1, 2027; Kent State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Kent State (3.61).
• Kent State has a higher acceptance rate (86.3%) than GVSU (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at GVSU vs. 20.3% at Kent State.

GVSU vs. Kent State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GVSU and Kent State? 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 Kent State University at Kent's (50%).
• Graduates from Grand Valley State University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Kent State graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grand Valley State University graduates have a $825 lower median loan debt than Kent State graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,825).
• Among borrowers, GVSU graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kent State graduates ($258 vs. $267).
• More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 46%)

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.