IPFW vs. GVSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Purdue University Fort Wayne in Fort Wayne, 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 IPFW based on total student enrollment (22,011 students vs. 7,206 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Purdue University Fort Wayne is located in Fort Wayne, IN (Large City setting); Grand Valley State University is in Allendale, MI (Large Suburban setting).
• Purdue University Fort Wayne is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Grand Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Purdue University Fort Wayne 13:1; Grand Valley State University 15:1.

IPFW vs. GVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IPFW 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 Purdue University Fort Wayne than GVSU ($14,735 vs. $17,198).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 1% lower than at Purdue University Fort Wayne ($11,550 vs. $11,669).
• Grand Valley State University is 58.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than IPFW (about $5,608 more per year; $15,140.00 vs. $9,532.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.2% higher at IPFW than at Grand Valley State University (about $1,339 more per year; $22,887.00 vs. $21,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Purdue University Fort Wayne than at Grand Valley State University (95% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grand Valley State University students is 56.8% larger than aid received by Purdue University Fort Wayne students ($11,188 vs. $7,135).

IPFW vs. GVSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IPFW 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 IPFW.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Purdue University Fort Wayne (1100) is 30 points higher than at GVSU (1070).
• Incoming GVSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at IPFW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Purdue University Fort Wayne 970/1220; Grand Valley State University 940/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Purdue University Fort Wayne 22/29; Grand Valley State University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IPFW - Test optional; GVSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IPFW Aug 1, 2027; GVSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at IPFW (3.37).
• IPFW has a higher acceptance rate (83.9%) than GVSU (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at IPFW vs. 18.6% at GVSU.

IPFW vs. GVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IPFW 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 Purdue University Fort Wayne's (26%).
• Graduates from Grand Valley State University earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than IPFW graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Purdue University Fort Wayne graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than GVSU graduates ($24,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, IPFW graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GVSU graduates ($253 vs. $258).
• More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IPFW students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 51%)

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.