GVSU vs. W&J

Should I go to Grand Valley State University or Washington & Jefferson College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GVSU or W&J 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. Washington & Jefferson College comparison
Grand Valley State University Washington & Jefferson College College 3 College 4
Grand Valley State University Washington & Jefferson College
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Overview

GVSU W&J
Location Allendale, MI Washington, PA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 21,648 1,151
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #583 #264
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gvsu.edu washjeff.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

GVSU W&J
Tuition (In State) $13,952 $49,612
Tuition (Out of State) $19,856 $49,612
Room & Board $10,140 $13,524
Avg Net Price $17,105 $25,636
Avg Grant Aid $8,811 $38,963
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 100%

Admission

GVSU W&J
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,123 3,414
Admitted 15,474 3,007
Acceptance Rate 90.4% 88.1%
Enrolled % 25% 11.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.54
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 19/28
SAT Range 960/1210 1010/1250
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 W&J
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • English and Literature (8%)

Outcomes

GVSU W&J
Graduation Rate 63% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $56,900
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 79%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $279

Diversity

GVSU W&J
% Men 38% 52%
% Women 62% 48%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 83% 81%
% Black 5% 5%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

GVSU W&J
% In-State 91% 72%
% Out-of-State 8% 28%

Campus

GVSU W&J
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 W&J based on total student enrollment (21,648 students vs. 1,151 students)

GVSU vs. W&J Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GVSU or W&J?

  • Washington & Jefferson College is 255.6% more expensive to attend than GVSU for in-state tuition ($49,612.00 vs. $13,952.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 149.9% higher at W&J than Grand Valley State University ($49,612.00 vs. $19,856.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Grand Valley State University than W&J ($17,105 vs. $25,636)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 33.4% lower than costs at Washington & Jefferson College ($10,140 vs. $13,524)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Washington & Jefferson College than Grand Valley State University (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Washington & Jefferson College students is 342.2% larger than aid received Grand Valley State University ($38,963 vs. $8,811)

GVSU vs. W&J Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at W&J (3.54)
  • GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than W&J (88.1%)

GVSU vs. W&J Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GVSU or W&J? 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 W&J and GVSU.

  • The graduation rate at W&J is higher than Grand Valley State University (74% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from Washington & Jefferson College earn on average $12,300 more per year than GVSU graduates after ten years. ($56,900 vs. $44,600)
  • Grand Valley State University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than W&J graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • GVSU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than W&J graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More W&J graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GVSU students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 62%)

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