GVSU vs. Northwood University-Michigan

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

 GVSU Northwood University-Michigan
Location Allendale, MI Midland, MI
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 22,269 2,360
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #559 #640
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gvsu.edu northwood.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 GVSU Northwood University-Michigan
Tuition (In State) $14,628 $31,400
Tuition (Out of State) $20,820 $31,400
Room & Board $11,142 $12,500
Avg Net Price $17,995 $26,429
Avg Grant Aid $8,925 $20,685
% Receiving Grant Aid 86% 100%

Admission

 GVSU Northwood University-Michigan
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 24,297 2,074
Admitted 23,008 1,740
Acceptance Rate 94.7% 83.9%
Enrolled % 21% 19.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.41
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 17/23
SAT Range 940/1190 950/1160
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline May 1, 2026

Academics

 GVSU Northwood University-Michigan
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Business (93%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (1%)
  • Health Professions (1%)
  • Communication (1%)

Outcomes

 GVSU Northwood University-Michigan
Graduation Rate 63% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $50,500
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $21,775
Median Loan Payment $258 $225

Diversity

 GVSU Northwood University-Michigan
% Men 4% 9%
% Women 10% 7%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 83% 67%
% Black 5% 9%
% Hispanic 5% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 13%

Students

 GVSU Northwood University-Michigan
% In-State 91% 83%
% Out-of-State 8% 15%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Grand Valley State University is larger than than Northwood University-Michigan based on total student enrollment (22,269 students vs. 2,360 students)

GVSU vs. Northwood University-Michigan Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GVSU or Northwood University-Michigan?

  • Northwood University Michigan is 114.7% more expensive to attend than GVSU for in-state tuition ($31,400.00 vs. $14,628.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 50.8% higher at Northwood University-Michigan than Grand Valley State University ($31,400.00 vs. $20,820.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Grand Valley State University than Northwood University-Michigan ($17,995 vs. $26,429)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 12.2% lower than costs at Northwood University Michigan ($11,142 vs. $12,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northwood University Michigan than Grand Valley State University (100% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwood University Michigan students is 131.8% larger than aid received Grand Valley State University ($20,685 vs. $8,925)

GVSU vs. Northwood University-Michigan Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Grand Valley State University (1090) is 64 points higher than at Northwood University-Michigan (1026)
  • Incoming GVSU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Northwood University-Michigan (22)
  • Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Northwood University-Michigan (3.41)
  • GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (94.7%) than Northwood University-Michigan (83.9%)

GVSU vs. Northwood University-Michigan Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GVSU or Northwood University-Michigan? 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 Northwood University-Michigan and GVSU.

  • The graduation rate at GVSU is higher than Northwood University Michigan (63% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Northwood University Michigan earn on average $5,900 more per year than GVSU graduates after ten years. ($50,500 vs. $44,600)
  • Northwood University Michigan students graduate with a $3,225 lower median federal student loan debt than GVSU graduates. ($21,775 vs. $25,000)
  • Northwood University-Michigan graduates are paying $33 less per month on federal student loans than GVSU graduates. ($225 vs. $258)
  • More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwood University-Michigan students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 54%)

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