Wartburg College vs. GVSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Wartburg College in Waverly, IA 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 Wartburg College based on total student enrollment (22,011 students vs. 1,483 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wartburg College is located in Waverly, IA (Distant Town setting); Grand Valley State University is in Allendale, MI (Large Suburban setting).
• Wartburg 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: Wartburg College 13:1; Grand Valley State University 15:1.

Wartburg College vs. GVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wartburg 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 Wartburg College ($17,198 vs. $24,031).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 1.7% lower than at Wartburg College ($11,550 vs. $11,750).
• Wartburg College is 73.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than GVSU (about $11,110 more per year; $26,250.00 vs. $15,140.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.8% higher at Wartburg College than at Grand Valley State University (about $4,702 more per year; $26,250.00 vs. $21,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wartburg College than at Grand Valley State University (97% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wartburg College students is 260.5% larger than aid received by Grand Valley State University students ($40,336 vs. $11,188).

Wartburg College vs. GVSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wartburg 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 Wartburg College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wartburg College (1070) is the same as at GVSU (1070).
• Incoming GVSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Wartburg College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wartburg College 930/1200; Grand Valley State University 940/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wartburg College 21/27; Grand Valley State University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wartburg College - Test optional; GVSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GVSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Wartburg College (3.48).
• GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Wartburg College (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.6% at Wartburg College vs. 18.6% at GVSU.

Wartburg College vs. GVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wartburg 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).

• The graduation rate at Wartburg College is the same as at Grand Valley State University (63% vs. 63%).
• Graduates from Wartburg College earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than GVSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,100 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 Wartburg College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, GVSU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wartburg College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Wartburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GVSU students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.