GVSU vs. Saginaw Valley State University

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

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Grand Valley State University vs. Saginaw Valley State University comparison
Grand Valley State University Saginaw Valley State University College 3 College 4
Grand Valley State University Saginaw Valley State University
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Overview

GVSU Saginaw Valley State University
Location Allendale, MI University Center, MI
Setting Large Suburban Rural Fringe
Enrollment 21,648 7,147
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #583 #905
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gvsu.edu svsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

GVSU Saginaw Valley State University
Tuition (In State) $13,952 $11,565
Tuition (Out of State) $19,856 $27,164
Room & Board $10,140 $11,400
Avg Net Price $17,105 $12,432
Avg Grant Aid $8,811 $10,663
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 100%

Admission

GVSU Saginaw Valley State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,123 9,330
Admitted 15,474 7,125
Acceptance Rate 90.4% 76.4%
Enrolled % 25% 18.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.48
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 20/25
SAT Range 960/1210 970/1180
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 Saginaw Valley State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Human Services (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

GVSU Saginaw Valley State University
Graduation Rate 63% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $41,000
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 48%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $279

Diversity

GVSU Saginaw Valley State University
% Men 38% 34%
% Women 62% 66%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 83% 71%
% Black 5% 9%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 1% 8%
% Unknown Race 0% 6%

Students

GVSU Saginaw Valley State University
% In-State 91% 98%
% Out-of-State 8% 2%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Grand Valley State University is larger than than Saginaw Valley State University based on total student enrollment (21,648 students vs. 7,147 students)

GVSU vs. Saginaw Valley State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GVSU or Saginaw Valley State University?

  • Grand Valley State University is 20.6% more expensive to attend than Saginaw Valley State University for in-state tuition ($13,952.00 vs. $11,565.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 36.8% higher at Saginaw Valley State University than Grand Valley State University ($27,164.00 vs. $19,856.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Saginaw Valley State University than GVSU ($12,432 vs. $17,105)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 12.4% lower than costs at Saginaw Valley State University ($10,140 vs. $11,400)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Saginaw Valley State University than Grand Valley State University (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students is 21% larger than aid received Grand Valley State University ($10,663 vs. $8,811)

GVSU vs. Saginaw Valley State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Grand Valley State University (1090) is 60 points higher than at Saginaw Valley State University (1030)
  • Incoming GVSU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Saginaw Valley State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Saginaw Valley State University (3.48)
  • GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than Saginaw Valley State University (76.4%)

GVSU vs. Saginaw Valley State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GVSU or Saginaw Valley 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 Saginaw Valley State University and GVSU.

  • The graduation rate at GVSU is higher than Saginaw Valley State University (63% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Grand Valley State University earn on average $3,600 more per year than Saginaw Valley State University graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $41,000)
  • Grand Valley State University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Saginaw Valley State University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • GVSU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Saginaw Valley State University graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 48%)

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