GVSU vs. Lake Superior State University

Should I go to Grand Valley State University or Lake Superior State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GVSU or Lake Superior State 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Grand Valley State University vs. Lake Superior State University comparison
Grand Valley State University Lake Superior State University College 3 College 4
Grand Valley State University Lake Superior State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

GVSU Lake Superior State University
Location Allendale, MI Sault Ste Marie, MI
Setting Large Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 21,648 1,655
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #583 #745
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gvsu.edu lssu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

GVSU Lake Superior State University
Tuition (In State) $13,952 $13,440
Tuition (Out of State) $19,856 $13,440
Room & Board $10,140 $11,016
Avg Net Price $17,105 $14,336
Avg Grant Aid $8,811 $10,816
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 91%

Admission

GVSU Lake Superior State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,123 2,408
Admitted 15,474 1,852
Acceptance Rate 90.4% 76.9%
Enrolled % 25% 15.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.2
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 19/26
SAT Range 960/1210 1000/1225
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline May 1, 2025

Academics

GVSU Lake Superior State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (21%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)

Outcomes

GVSU Lake Superior State University
Graduation Rate 63% 35%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $40,300
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $258 $240

Diversity

GVSU Lake Superior State University
% Men 38% 45%
% Women 62% 55%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 83% 80%
% Black 5% 1%
% Hispanic 5% 2%
% Native American 0% 8%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 0%
% International 1% 7%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

GVSU Lake Superior State University
% In-State 91% 83%
% Out-of-State 8% 8%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Grand Valley State University is larger than than Lake Superior State University based on total student enrollment (21,648 students vs. 1,655 students)

GVSU vs. Lake Superior State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GVSU or Lake Superior State University?

  • Grand Valley State University is 3.8% more expensive to attend than Lake Superior State University for in-state tuition ($13,952.00 vs. $13,440.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 47.7% higher at GVSU than Lake Superior State University ($19,856.00 vs. $13,440.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Lake Superior State University than GVSU ($14,336 vs. $17,105)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 8.6% lower than costs at Lake Superior State University ($10,140 vs. $11,016)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Grand Valley State University than Lake Superior State University (93% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Superior State University students is 22.8% larger than aid received Grand Valley State University ($10,816 vs. $8,811)

GVSU vs. Lake Superior State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Grand Valley State University (1090) is 63 points higher than at Lake Superior State University (1027)
  • Incoming GVSU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Lake Superior State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Lake Superior State University (3.2)
  • GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than Lake Superior State University (76.9%)

GVSU vs. Lake Superior State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GVSU or Lake Superior State 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 Lake Superior State University and GVSU.

  • The graduation rate at GVSU is higher than Lake Superior State University (63% vs. 35%)
  • Graduates from Grand Valley State University earn on average $4,300 more per year than Lake Superior State University graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $40,300)
  • Lake Superior State University students graduate with a $1,750 lower median federal student loan debt than GVSU graduates. ($23,250 vs. $25,000)
  • Lake Superior State University graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than GVSU graduates. ($240 vs. $258)
  • More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Superior State University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 57%)

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