GVSU vs. Oakland

Comparable Facts

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

Grand Valley State University is larger than Oakland based on total student enrollment (22,011 students vs. 15,768 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grand Valley State University is located in Allendale, MI (Large Suburban setting); Oakland University is in Rochester Hills, MI (Large Suburban setting).
• Grand Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Oakland University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grand Valley State University 15:1; Oakland University 17:1.

GVSU vs. Oakland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GVSU or Oakland? 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 Oakland University than GVSU ($12,208 vs. $17,198).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakland University are 5.4% lower than at Grand Valley State University ($10,932 vs. $11,550).
• Oakland University is 0.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than GVSU (about $122 more per year; $15,262.00 vs. $15,140.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.6% higher at Oakland than at Grand Valley State University (about $1,640 more per year; $23,188.00 vs. $21,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oakland University than at Grand Valley State University (94% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oakland University students is 16.1% larger than aid received by Grand Valley State University students ($12,988 vs. $11,188).

GVSU vs. Oakland Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oakland University (1130) is 60 points higher than at GVSU (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grand Valley State University 940/1190; Oakland University 1030/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grand Valley State University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GVSU - Test optional; Oakland - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GVSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Oakland (3.51).
• Oakland has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than GVSU (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at GVSU vs. 14.7% at Oakland.

GVSU vs. Oakland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GVSU and Oakland? 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 Oakland University's (40%).
• Graduates from Oakland University earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than GVSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,700 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Oakland University and GVSU graduates have the same median loan debt ($25,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Oakland University and GVSU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($258 vs. $258).
• More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oakland students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 51%)

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.