University of St Francis vs. GVSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of St Francis in Joliet, 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 University of St Francis based on total student enrollment (22,011 students vs. 3,074 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of St Francis is located in Joliet, IL (Midsize City setting); Grand Valley State University is in Allendale, MI (Large Suburban setting).
• University of St Francis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Grand Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of St Francis 15:1; Grand Valley State University 15:1.

University of St Francis vs. GVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of St Francis 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 University of St Francis than GVSU ($14,045 vs. $17,198).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 3.6% lower than at University of St Francis ($11,550 vs. $11,980).
• University of St Francis is 151.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than GVSU (about $22,970 more per year; $38,110.00 vs. $15,140.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.9% higher at University of St Francis than at Grand Valley State University (about $16,562 more per year; $38,110.00 vs. $21,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of St Francis than at Grand Valley State University (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of St Francis students is 186% larger than aid received by Grand Valley State University students ($31,998 vs. $11,188).

University of St Francis vs. GVSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of St Francis 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 University of St Francis.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of St Francis (1130) is 60 points higher than at GVSU (1070).
• Incoming University of St Francis students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at GVSU (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of St Francis 1030/1220; Grand Valley State University 940/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of St Francis 20/32; Grand Valley State University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of St Francis - Test optional; GVSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of St Francis Aug 1, 2027; GVSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at University of St Francis (3.47).
• GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than University of St Francis (65.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at University of St Francis vs. 18.6% at GVSU.

University of St Francis vs. GVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of St Francis 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).

• The graduation rate at University of St Francis is the same as at Grand Valley State University (63% vs. 63%).
• Graduates from University of St Francis earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than GVSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grand Valley State University and University of St Francis graduates have the same median loan debt ($25,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Grand Valley State University and University of St Francis 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 University of St Francis students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.