Illinois College vs. GVSU

Comparable Facts

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

Grand Valley State University is larger than Illinois College based on total student enrollment (22,011 students vs. 942 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois College is located in Jacksonville, IL (Distant Town setting); Grand Valley State University is in Allendale, MI (Large Suburban setting).
• Illinois College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Grand Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois College 12:1; Grand Valley State University 15:1.

Illinois College vs. GVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois College or GVSU? 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 Illinois College ($17,198 vs. $17,375).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 4% lower than at Illinois College ($11,550 vs. $12,026).
• Illinois College is 155.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than GVSU (about $23,536 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $15,140.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79.5% higher at Illinois College than at Grand Valley State University (about $17,128 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $21,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois College than at Grand Valley State University (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois College students is 182.5% larger than aid received by Grand Valley State University students ($31,609 vs. $11,188).

Illinois College vs. GVSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grand Valley State University (1070) is 40 points higher than at Illinois College (1030).
• Incoming GVSU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at Illinois College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 883/1180; Grand Valley State University 940/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 19/26; Grand Valley State University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois College - Test optional; GVSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GVSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Illinois College (3.63).
• GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Illinois College (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.2% at Illinois College vs. 18.6% at GVSU.

Illinois College vs. GVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois College and GVSU? 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 Illinois College's (57%).
• Graduates from Illinois College earn a median of about $700 more per year than GVSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grand Valley State University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Illinois College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, GVSU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Illinois College 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.