GVSU vs. UM-Dearborn

Comparable Facts

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

Grand Valley State University is larger than UM-Dearborn based on total student enrollment (22,011 students vs. 8,104 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grand Valley State University is located in Allendale, MI (Large Suburban setting); University of Michigan Dearborn is in Dearborn, MI (Small City setting).
• Grand Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Michigan Dearborn is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grand Valley State University 15:1; University of Michigan Dearborn 16:1.

GVSU vs. UM-Dearborn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GVSU or UM-Dearborn? 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 University of Michigan Dearborn than GVSU ($11,521 vs. $17,198).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Michigan Dearborn are 2.7% lower than at Grand Valley State University ($11,241 vs. $11,550).
• University of Michigan Dearborn is 3.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than GVSU (about $500 more per year; $15,640.00 vs. $15,140.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.7% higher at UM-Dearborn than at Grand Valley State University (about $11,348 more per year; $32,896.00 vs. $21,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Michigan Dearborn than at Grand Valley State University (99% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Michigan Dearborn students is 8.4% larger than aid received by Grand Valley State University students ($12,124 vs. $11,188).

GVSU vs. UM-Dearborn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GVSU or UM-Dearborn? 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 UM-Dearborn and GVSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Michigan Dearborn (1120) is 50 points higher than at GVSU (1070).
• Incoming GVSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at UM-Dearborn (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grand Valley State University 940/1190; University of Michigan Dearborn 990/1255.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grand Valley State University 22/30; University of Michigan Dearborn 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GVSU - Test optional; UM-Dearborn - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GVSU May 1, 2027; UM-Dearborn Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UM-Dearborn students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at GVSU (3.65).
• GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than UM-Dearborn (55.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at GVSU vs. 14.2% at UM-Dearborn.

GVSU vs. UM-Dearborn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GVSU and UM-Dearborn? 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 University of Michigan Dearborn's (49%).
• Graduates from University of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than GVSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,800 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grand Valley State University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than UM-Dearborn graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, GVSU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UM-Dearborn graduates ($258 vs. $266).
• More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UM-Dearborn students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 46%)

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.