GVSU vs. University of Akron

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

GVSU University of Akron
Location Allendale, MI Akron, OH
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 22,269 13,518
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #559 #858
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gvsu.edu uakron.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

GVSU University of Akron
Tuition (In State) $14,628 $10,399
Tuition (Out of State) $20,820 $14,839
Room & Board $11,142 $11,070
Avg Net Price $17,995 $15,292
Avg Grant Aid $8,925 $9,452
% Receiving Grant Aid 86% 94%

Admission

GVSU University of Akron
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 24,297 14,982
Admitted 23,008 10,624
Acceptance Rate 94.7% 70.9%Open
Enrolled % 21% 19.7%Open
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.47
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/28 18/25
SAT Range 940/1190 950/1190
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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

GVSU University of Akron
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Engineering Technology (6%)

Outcomes

GVSU University of Akron
Graduation Rate 63% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $40,100
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 45%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $25,500
Median Loan Payment $258 $263

Diversity

GVSU University of Akron
% Men 4% 7%
% Women 10% 9%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 83% 74%
% Black 5% 12%
% Hispanic 5% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 3%

Students

GVSU University of Akron
% In-State 91% 91%
% Out-of-State 8% 7%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Grand Valley State University is larger than than University of Akron based on total student enrollment (22,269 students vs. 13,518 students)

GVSU vs. University of Akron Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GVSU or University of Akron?

  • Grand Valley State University is 40.7% more expensive to attend than University of Akron for in-state tuition ($14,628.00 vs. $10,399.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 40.3% higher at GVSU than University of Akron Main Campus ($20,820.00 vs. $14,839.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Akron Main Campus than GVSU ($15,292 vs. $17,995)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Akron Main Campus are 0.7% lower than costs at Grand Valley State University ($11,070 vs. $11,142)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Akron Main Campus than Grand Valley State University (94% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Akron Main Campus students is 5.9% larger than aid received Grand Valley State University ($9,452 vs. $8,925)

GVSU vs. University of Akron Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Grand Valley State University (1090) is 41 points higher than at University of Akron (1049)
  • Incoming GVSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at University of Akron (23)
  • Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at University of Akron (3.47)
  • GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (94.7%) than University of Akron (70.9%)

GVSU vs. University of Akron Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GVSU or University of Akron? 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 University of Akron and GVSU.

  • The graduation rate at GVSU is higher than University of Akron Main Campus (63% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Grand Valley State University earn on average $4,500 more per year than University of Akron graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $40,100)
  • Grand Valley State University students graduate with a $500 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Akron graduates. ($25,000 vs. $25,500)
  • GVSU graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than University of Akron graduates. ($258 vs. $263)
  • More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Akron students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 45%)

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