GVSU vs. Penn State Beaver

Comparable Facts

Compare Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI with Penn State Beaver in Monaca, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Grand Valley State University is larger than Penn State Beaver based on total student enrollment (22,011 students vs. 482 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grand Valley State University is located in Allendale, MI (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Beaver is in Monaca, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Grand Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Beaver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grand Valley State University 15:1; Penn State Beaver 12:1.

GVSU vs. Penn State Beaver Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GVSU or Penn State Beaver? 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 Penn State Beaver ($17,198 vs. $18,581).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 20.2% lower than at Penn State Beaver ($11,550 vs. $14,474).
• Grand Valley State University is 5.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Beaver (about $732 more per year; $15,140.00 vs. $14,408.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12% higher at Penn State Beaver than at Grand Valley State University (about $2,586 more per year; $24,134.00 vs. $21,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grand Valley State University than at Penn State Beaver (90% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grand Valley State University students is 23.7% larger than aid received by Penn State Beaver students ($11,188 vs. $9,045).

GVSU vs. Penn State Beaver Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Beaver (1190) is 120 points higher than at GVSU (1070).
• Incoming GVSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Penn State Beaver).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grand Valley State University 940/1190; Penn State Beaver 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grand Valley State University 22/30; Penn State Beaver 24/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GVSU - Test optional; Penn State Beaver - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GVSU May 1, 2027.
• Penn State Beaver has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than GVSU (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at GVSU vs. 9.5% at Penn State Beaver.

GVSU vs. Penn State Beaver Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GVSU and Penn State Beaver? 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 Penn State Beaver's (47%).
• Graduates from Penn State Beaver earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than GVSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grand Valley State University graduates have a $1,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Beaver graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, GVSU graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Beaver graduates ($258 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Beaver graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GVSU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 62%)

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.