University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. GVSU

Should I go to University of Alabama at Birmingham or Grand Valley State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of Alabama at Birmingham or GVSU 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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University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Grand Valley State University comparison
University of Alabama at Birmingham Grand Valley State University College 3 College 4
University of Alabama at Birmingham Grand Valley State University
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Overview

University of Alabama at Birmingham GVSU
Location Birmingham, AL Allendale, MI
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 21,639 21,648
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #427 #583
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uab.edu gvsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Alabama at Birmingham GVSU
Tuition (In State) $8,832 $13,952
Tuition (Out of State) $21,216 $19,856
Room & Board $13,120 $10,140
Avg Net Price $16,834 $17,105
Avg Grant Aid $11,142 $8,811
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 93%

Admission

University of Alabama at Birmingham GVSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,947 17,123
Admitted 8,622 15,474
Acceptance Rate 86.7% 90.4%
Enrolled % 25.7% 25%
Avg High School GPA 3.82 3.65
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/30 21/27
SAT Range 1200/1410 960/1210
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 Jun 1, 2025 May 1, 2025

Academics

University of Alabama at Birmingham GVSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

University of Alabama at Birmingham GVSU
Graduation Rate 45% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,400 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 52% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $222 $258

Diversity

University of Alabama at Birmingham GVSU
% Men 37% 38%
% Women 63% 62%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 59% 83%
% Black 25% 5%
% Hispanic 3% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

University of Alabama at Birmingham GVSU
% In-State 82% 91%
% Out-of-State 16% 8%

Campus

University of Alabama at Birmingham GVSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Grand Valley State University is larger than than University of Alabama at Birmingham based on total student enrollment (21,648 students vs. 21,639 students)

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. GVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Alabama at Birmingham or GVSU?

  • Grand Valley State University is 58% more expensive to attend than University of Alabama at Birmingham for in-state tuition ($13,952.00 vs. $8,832.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 6.8% higher at University of Alabama at Birmingham than Grand Valley State University ($21,216.00 vs. $19,856.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Alabama at Birmingham than GVSU ($16,834 vs. $17,105)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 29.4% lower than costs at University of Alabama at Birmingham ($10,140 vs. $13,120)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at University of Alabama at Birmingham as Grand Valley State University (93% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Alabama at Birmingham students is 26.5% larger than aid received Grand Valley State University ($11,142 vs. $8,811)

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. GVSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Alabama at Birmingham (1147) is 57 points higher than at GVSU (1090)
  • Incoming University of Alabama at Birmingham students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at GVSU (24)
  • Accepted freshman University of Alabama at Birmingham students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at GVSU (3.65)
  • GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than University of Alabama at Birmingham (86.7%)

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. GVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Alabama at Birmingham or GVSU? 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 GVSU and University of Alabama at Birmingham.

  • The graduation rate at GVSU is higher than University of Alabama at Birmingham (63% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from University of Alabama at Birmingham earn on average $1,800 more per year than GVSU graduates after ten years. ($46,400 vs. $44,600)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham students graduate with a $3,500 lower median federal student loan debt than GVSU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $25,000)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than GVSU graduates. ($222 vs. $258)
  • More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Alabama at Birmingham students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 52%)

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