GVSU vs. Thiel College

Comparable Facts

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

Grand Valley State University is larger than Thiel College based on total student enrollment (22,011 students vs. 950 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grand Valley State University is located in Allendale, MI (Large Suburban setting); Thiel College is in Greenville, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Grand Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Thiel College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grand Valley State University 15:1; Thiel College 12:1.

GVSU vs. Thiel College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GVSU or Thiel College? 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 Thiel College ($17,198 vs. $22,545).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 25.5% lower than at Thiel College ($11,550 vs. $15,504).
• Thiel College is 153.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than GVSU (about $23,204 more per year; $38,344.00 vs. $15,140.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.9% higher at Thiel College than at Grand Valley State University (about $16,796 more per year; $38,344.00 vs. $21,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thiel College than at Grand Valley State University (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thiel College students is 171.3% larger than aid received by Grand Valley State University students ($30,356 vs. $11,188).

GVSU vs. Thiel College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grand Valley State University (1070) is the same as at Thiel College (1070).
• Incoming GVSU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 20 at Thiel College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grand Valley State University 940/1190; Thiel College 965/1165.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grand Valley State University 22/30; Thiel College 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GVSU - Test optional; Thiel College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: GVSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Thiel College (3.1).
• GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Thiel College (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at GVSU vs. 11.4% at Thiel College.

GVSU vs. Thiel College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GVSU and Thiel College? 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 Thiel College's (39%).
• Graduates from Grand Valley State University earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than Thiel College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grand Valley State University graduates have a $2,876 lower median loan debt than Thiel College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,876).
• Among borrowers, GVSU graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Thiel College graduates ($258 vs. $288).
• More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Thiel College students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.