GVSU vs. WVU

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

 GVSU WVU
Location Allendale, MI Morgantown, WV
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 21,648 24,741
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #583 #559
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gvsu.edu wvu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 GVSU WVU
Tuition (In State) $13,952 $9,360
Tuition (Out of State) $19,856 $26,568
Room & Board $10,140 $11,618
Avg Net Price $17,105 $12,202
Avg Grant Aid $8,811 $11,685
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 94%

Admission

 GVSU WVU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,123 18,206
Admitted 15,474 16,091
Acceptance Rate 90.4% 88.4%
Enrolled % 25% 28.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.45
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 20/26
SAT Range 960/1210 1000/1220
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 WVU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Engineering (11%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)

Outcomes

 GVSU WVU
Graduation Rate 63% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $50,600
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $24,001
Median Loan Payment $258 $248

Diversity

 GVSU WVU
% Men 38% 47%
% Women 62% 53%
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% 6%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

 GVSU WVU
% In-State 91% 42%
% Out-of-State 8% 57%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • West Virginia University is larger than than GVSU based on total student enrollment (24,741 students vs. 21,648 students)

GVSU vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GVSU or WVU?

  • Grand Valley State University is 49.1% more expensive to attend than WVU for in-state tuition ($13,952.00 vs. $9,360.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 33.8% higher at WVU than Grand Valley State University ($26,568.00 vs. $19,856.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at West Virginia University than GVSU ($12,202 vs. $17,105)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 14.6% lower than costs at West Virginia University ($10,140 vs. $11,618)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at West Virginia University than Grand Valley State University (94% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia University students is 32.6% larger than aid received Grand Valley State University ($11,685 vs. $8,811)

GVSU vs. WVU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Grand Valley State University (1090) is 12 points higher than at WVU (1078)
  • Incoming GVSU students have at the same average ACT score (24) as students at WVU (24)
  • Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at WVU (3.45)
  • GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than WVU (88.4%)

GVSU vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GVSU or WVU? 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 WVU and GVSU.

  • The graduation rate at GVSU is higher than West Virginia University (63% vs. 57%)
  • Graduates from West Virginia University earn on average $6,000 more per year than GVSU graduates after ten years. ($50,600 vs. $44,600)
  • West Virginia University students graduate with a $999 lower median federal student loan debt than GVSU graduates. ($24,001 vs. $25,000)
  • WVU graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than GVSU graduates. ($248 vs. $258)
  • More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 59%)

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