IU Northwest vs. GVSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University Northwest in Gary, IN 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 IU Northwest based on total student enrollment (22,011 students vs. 3,041 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

IU Northwest vs. GVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU Northwest 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 Indiana University Northwest than GVSU ($5,745 vs. $17,198).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Northwest are 5% lower than at Grand Valley State University ($10,972 vs. $11,550).
• Grand Valley State University is 79.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Northwest (about $6,716 more per year; $15,140.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.9% higher at IU Northwest than at Grand Valley State University (about $1,263 more per year; $22,811.00 vs. $21,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grand Valley State University than at Indiana University Northwest (90% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grand Valley State University students is 34.4% larger than aid received by Indiana University Northwest students ($11,188 vs. $8,327).

IU Northwest vs. GVSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU Northwest 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 IU Northwest.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grand Valley State University (1070) is 20 points higher than at IU Northwest (1050).
• Incoming GVSU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at IU Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 910/1180; Grand Valley State University 940/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 18/26; Grand Valley State University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU Northwest - Test optional; GVSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GVSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at IU Northwest (3.14).
• GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than IU Northwest (73.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.5% at IU Northwest vs. 18.6% at GVSU.

IU Northwest vs. GVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU Northwest 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 Indiana University Northwest's (23%).
• Graduates from Grand Valley State University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than IU Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grand Valley State University graduates have a $30 lower median loan debt than IU Northwest graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,030).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Grand Valley State University and IU Northwest graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($258 vs. $258).
• More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Northwest students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 33%)

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.