GVSU vs. WSU

Comparable Facts

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

Wayne State University is larger than GVSU based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 22,011 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grand Valley State University is located in Allendale, MI (Large Suburban setting); Wayne State University is in Detroit, MI (Large City setting).
• Grand Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grand Valley State University 15:1; Wayne State University 14:1.

GVSU vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GVSU or WSU? 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 Wayne State University than GVSU ($14,416 vs. $17,198).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 19% lower than at Wayne State University ($11,550 vs. $14,252).
• Wayne State University is 0.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than GVSU (about $50 more per year; $15,190.00 vs. $15,140.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.7% higher at WSU than at Grand Valley State University (about $10,489 more per year; $32,037.00 vs. $21,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wayne State University than at Grand Valley State University (98% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wayne State University students is 15.8% larger than aid received by Grand Valley State University students ($12,953 vs. $11,188).

GVSU vs. WSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wayne State University (1170) is 100 points higher than at GVSU (1070).
• Incoming GVSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at WSU (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grand Valley State University 940/1190; Wayne State University 1060/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grand Valley State University 22/30; Wayne State University 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GVSU - Test optional; WSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GVSU May 1, 2027; WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at WSU (3.42).
• GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than WSU (81.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at GVSU vs. 22.4% at WSU.

GVSU vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GVSU and WSU? 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 Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Wayne State University earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than GVSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $2,742 lower median loan debt than GVSU graduates ($22,258 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GVSU graduates ($230 vs. $258).
• More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 38%)

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.