Aurora University vs. GVSU

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

Aurora University GVSU
Location Aurora, IL Allendale, MI
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 5,935 22,269
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #826 #559
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website aurora.edu gvsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Aurora University GVSU
Tuition (In State) $28,000 $14,628
Tuition (Out of State) $28,000 $20,820
Room & Board $13,240 $11,142
Avg Net Price $19,220 $17,995
Avg Grant Aid $20,017 $8,925
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 86%

Admission

Aurora University GVSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,264 24,297
Admitted 4,482 23,008
Acceptance Rate 85.1% 94.7%
Enrolled % 18.5% 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.56 3.65
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/26 21/28
SAT Range 930/1133 940/1190
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 May 1, 2025

Academics

Aurora University GVSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Human Services (7%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

Aurora University GVSU
Graduation Rate 44% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,900 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,337 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $230 $258

Diversity

Aurora University GVSU
% Men 6% 4%
% Women 25% 10%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 56% 83%
% Black 8% 5%
% Hispanic 25% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 5% 0%

Students

Aurora University GVSU
% In-State 86% 91%
% Out-of-State 13% 8%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Grand Valley State University is larger than than Aurora University based on total student enrollment (22,269 students vs. 5,935 students)

Aurora University vs. GVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Aurora University or GVSU?

  • Aurora University is 91.4% more expensive to attend than GVSU for in-state tuition ($28,000.00 vs. $14,628.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 34.5% higher at Aurora University than Grand Valley State University ($28,000.00 vs. $20,820.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Grand Valley State University than Aurora University ($17,995 vs. $19,220)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 18.8% lower than costs at Aurora University ($11,142 vs. $13,240)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Aurora University than Grand Valley State University (100% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Aurora University students is 124.3% larger than aid received Grand Valley State University ($20,017 vs. $8,925)

Aurora University vs. GVSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Grand Valley State University (1090) is 100 points higher than at Aurora University (990)
  • Incoming GVSU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Aurora University (21)
  • Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Aurora University (3.56)
  • GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (94.7%) than Aurora University (85.1%)

Aurora University vs. GVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Aurora University 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 Aurora University.

  • The graduation rate at GVSU is higher than Aurora University (63% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Grand Valley State University earn on average $1,700 more per year than Aurora University graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $42,900)
  • Aurora University students graduate with a $2,663 lower median federal student loan debt than GVSU graduates. ($22,337 vs. $25,000)
  • Aurora University graduates are paying $28 less per month on federal student loans than GVSU graduates. ($230 vs. $258)
  • More Aurora University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GVSU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 62%)

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