GVSU vs. Michigan

Deciding between Grand Valley State University and University of Michigan Ann Arbor? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Grand Valley State University
University of Michigan Ann Arbor

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • GVSU Allendale, MI
  • Michigan Ann Arbor, MI
  • Setting
  • GVSU Large Suburban
  • Michigan Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • GVSU 22,011
  • Michigan 52,855
  • Type
  • GVSU Public 4 Year
  • Michigan Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • GVSU #461
  • Michigan #48
  • Religious Affiliation
  • GVSU -
  • Michigan -
  • Status
  • GVSU Non-profit
  • Michigan Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • GVSU
  • Michigan

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • GVSU $15,140
  • Michigan $17,736
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • GVSU $21,548
  • Michigan $60,946
  • Room & Board
  • GVSU $11,550
  • Michigan $15,328
  • Average Net Price
  • GVSU $17,198
  • Michigan $17,574
  • Average Grant Aid
  • GVSU $11,188
  • Michigan $25,099
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • GVSU 90%
  • Michigan 59%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • GVSU 27,059
  • Michigan 98,310
  • Admitted
  • GVSU 22,464
  • Michigan 15,373
  • Acceptance Rate
  • GVSU 83%
  • Michigan 15.6%
  • Enrolled
  • GVSU 18.6%
  • Michigan 47.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • GVSU 1070
  • Michigan 1450
  • Typical ACT score
  • GVSU 26
  • Michigan 32
  • Average High School GPA
  • GVSU 3.65
  • Michigan 3.88
  • Typical High School Grades
  • GVSU A-
  • Michigan A
  • Admissions Standards
  • GVSU Average
  • Michigan Exceptional
  • Applicant Competition
  • GVSU
  • Michigan Very High
  • ACT Range
  • GVSU 22/30
  • Michigan 31/34
  • SAT Range
  • GVSU 940/1190
  • Michigan 1360/1530
  • Submit Test Scores
  • GVSU Test optional
  • Michigan Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • GVSU May 1, 2027
  • Michigan Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • GVSU 15:1
  • Michigan 11:1
  • Popular Majors
  • GVSU
    • Business (23%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Michigan
    • Social Sciences (17%)
    • Engineering (15%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • GVSU 63%
  • Michigan 90%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • GVSU $44,600
  • Michigan $74,400
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • GVSU 62%
  • Michigan 78%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • GVSU $25,000
  • Michigan $20,103
  • Median Loan Payment
  • GVSU $258
  • Michigan $207

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • GVSU 38%
  • Michigan 47%
  • % Women
  • GVSU 62%
  • Michigan 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • GVSU Low
  • Michigan Medium
  • HBCU
  • GVSU No
  • Michigan No
  • % White
  • GVSU 83%
  • Michigan 62%
  • % Asian
  • GVSU 2%
  • Michigan 13%
  • % Black
  • GVSU 5%
  • Michigan 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • GVSU 5%
  • Michigan 5%
  • % Native American
  • GVSU 0%
  • Michigan 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • GVSU 0%
  • Michigan 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • GVSU 3%
  • Michigan 3%
  • % International
  • GVSU 1%
  • Michigan 7%
  • % Unknown Race
  • GVSU 0%
  • Michigan 6%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • GVSU 92%
  • Michigan 52%
  • % Out-of-State
  • GVSU 8%
  • Michigan 43%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • GVSU Yes
  • Michigan Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • GVSU No
  • Michigan No
  • Meal Plan
  • GVSU Yes
  • Michigan Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • GVSU Yes
  • Michigan Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • GVSU Yes
  • Michigan Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI with University of Michigan Ann Arbor in Ann Arbor, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Michigan Ann Arbor is larger than GVSU based on total student enrollment (52,855 students vs. 22,011 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Grand Valley State University is located in Allendale, MI (Large Suburban setting); University of Michigan Ann Arbor is in Ann Arbor, MI (Midsize City setting).
  • Grand Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Grand Valley State University 15:1; University of Michigan Ann Arbor 11:1.

GVSU vs. Michigan Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GVSU or Michigan? 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 Michigan ($17,198 vs. $17,574).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 24.6% lower than at University of Michigan Ann Arbor ($11,550 vs. $15,328).
  • University of Michigan Ann Arbor is 17.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than GVSU (about $2,596 more per year; $17,736.00 vs. $15,140.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 182.8% higher at Michigan than at Grand Valley State University (about $39,398 more per year; $60,946.00 vs. $21,548.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grand Valley State University than at University of Michigan Ann Arbor (90% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Michigan Ann Arbor students is 124.3% larger than aid received by Grand Valley State University students ($25,099 vs. $11,188).

GVSU vs. Michigan Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Michigan Ann Arbor (1450) is 380 points higher than at GVSU (1070).
  • Incoming Michigan students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 26 at GVSU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grand Valley State University 940/1190; University of Michigan Ann Arbor 1360/1530.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grand Valley State University 22/30; University of Michigan Ann Arbor 31/34.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GVSU - Test optional; Michigan - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: GVSU May 1, 2027; Michigan Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Michigan students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at GVSU (3.65).
  • GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Michigan (15.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at GVSU vs. 47.3% at Michigan.

GVSU vs. Michigan Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GVSU and Michigan? 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).

  • University of Michigan Ann Arbor's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Grand Valley State University's (63%).
  • Graduates from University of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of about $29,800 more per year than GVSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,400 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates have a $4,897 lower median loan debt than GVSU graduates ($20,103 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Michigan graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GVSU graduates ($207 vs. $258).
  • More Michigan graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GVSU students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.