GVSU Admission Requirements
- 6/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Allendale, MI
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GVSU Admission Overview
GVSU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year GVSU admitted 83% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.65 GPA (A-) and SAT 940-1190 / ACT 22-30. GVSU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
GVSU is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
GVSU Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for Grand Valley State University
Acceptance Rate
The GVSU acceptance rate is 83%. Last year, 22,464 of 27,059 applicants were admitted. That is the 27th lowest acceptance rate in Michigan.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into GVSU and can you get accepted?
GVSU is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
Grand Valley State University typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.65. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 19% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
GVSU GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.65Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.65
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at GVSU typically have around a 3.65 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. GVSU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
The school ranks #11 in Michigan for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
GVSU Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
Grand Valley State University is test-optional for first-year admission. Domestic applicants are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores. Students admitted by March 1 for a fall start are considered for merit scholarships whether or not they send scores, and admitted students may add official SAT or ACT results through July 31 for additional scholarship review. Applicants who want Grand Valley's top scholarships must provide test scores.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.gvsu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-application-12
GVSU SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
940-1190Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
53%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 480
- Math 460
- Composite 940
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 600
- Math 590
- Composite 1190
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at GVSU typically score around a 1070 SAT (middle 50% 940–1190) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 53rd percentile nationally. GVSU ranks #20 in the state of Michigan for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 940 to 1190
SAT policy
GVSU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1070 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
GVSU ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
22-30Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
4%25th Percentile Scores
- English 20
- Math 20
- Composite 22
75th Percentile Scores
- English 31
- Math 28
- Composite 30
Average ACT
Incoming testers at GVSU typically have around a 26 ACT (mid-50 22–30) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 82nd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. GVSU places #8 among colleges in Michigan for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 22 to 30
ACT policy
You may apply to GVSU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 26.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
79% of Grand Valley State University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 42% are in the top quarter.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the GVSU chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Grand Valley State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
May 1, 2027Days left to Apply
243Applicants have 243 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on May 1, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Grand Valley State University is $30.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
GVSU is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 83% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.65 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (940-1190); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Grand Valley State University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=170082.
GPA calculator: Grand Valley State University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026