GVSU vs. Michigan State

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

 GVSU Michigan State
Location Allendale, MI East Lansing, MI
Setting Large Suburban Rural Fringe
Enrollment 21,648 50,023
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #583 #240
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gvsu.edu msu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 GVSU Michigan State
Tuition (In State) $13,952 $15,192
Tuition (Out of State) $19,856 $41,778
Room & Board $10,140 $10,990
Avg Net Price $17,105 $22,803
Avg Grant Aid $8,811 $8,684
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 92%

Admission

 GVSU Michigan State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,123 53,341
Admitted 15,474 46,914
Acceptance Rate 90.4% 88%
Enrolled % 25% 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.72
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Moderate Very High
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 25/31
SAT Range 960/1210 1160/1360
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

Academics

 GVSU Michigan State
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Communication (11%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

 GVSU Michigan State
Graduation Rate 63% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $60,000
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 68%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $25,484
Median Loan Payment $258 $263

Diversity

 GVSU Michigan State
% Men 38% 47%
% Women 62% 53%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 83% 67%
% Black 5% 7%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 1% 13%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

 GVSU Michigan State
% In-State 91% 71%
% Out-of-State 8% 21%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Michigan State University is larger than than GVSU based on total student enrollment (50,023 students vs. 21,648 students)

GVSU vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GVSU or Michigan State?

  • Michigan State University is 8.9% more expensive to attend than GVSU for in-state tuition ($15,192.00 vs. $13,952.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 110.4% higher at Michigan State than Grand Valley State University ($41,778.00 vs. $19,856.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Grand Valley State University than Michigan State ($17,105 vs. $22,803)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 8.4% lower than costs at Michigan State University ($10,140 vs. $10,990)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Grand Valley State University than Michigan State University (93% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Grand Valley State University students is 1.5% larger than aid received Michigan State University ($8,811 vs. $8,684)

GVSU vs. Michigan State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Michigan State University (1159) is 69 points higher than at GVSU (1090)
  • Incoming Michigan State students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at GVSU (24)
  • Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at GVSU (3.65)
  • GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than Michigan State (88%)

GVSU vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GVSU or Michigan State? 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 Michigan State and GVSU.

  • The graduation rate at Michigan State is higher than Grand Valley State University (77% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from Michigan State University earn on average $15,400 more per year than GVSU graduates after ten years. ($60,000 vs. $44,600)
  • Grand Valley State University students graduate with a $484 lower median federal student loan debt than Michigan State graduates. ($25,000 vs. $25,484)
  • GVSU graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than Michigan State graduates. ($258 vs. $263)
  • More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GVSU students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 62%)

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