Grand Rapids Community College vs. GVSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Grand Rapids Community College in Grand Rapids, MI with Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Grand Valley State University is larger than Grand Rapids Community College based on total student enrollment (22,011 students vs. 12,468 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grand Rapids Community College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Grand Valley State University is in Allendale, MI (Large Suburban setting).
• Grand Rapids Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Grand Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grand Rapids Community College 19:1; Grand Valley State University 15:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Rapids Community College are 20.1% lower than at Grand Valley State University ($9,227 vs. $11,550).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.3% higher at GVSU than at Grand Rapids Community College (about $9,329 more per year; $21,548 vs. $12,219).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grand Valley State University than at Grand Rapids Community College (90% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grand Valley State University students is 77.9% larger than aid received by Grand Rapids Community College students ($11,188 vs. $6,288).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are open admission at Grand Rapids Community College, test optional at GVSU.
• Typical fall application deadline: GVSU May 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at GVSU average a 3.65 high school GPA, 0.65 higher than at Grand Rapids Community College (3.0).

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grand Rapids Community College graduates have a $15,792 lower median loan debt than GVSU graduates ($9,208 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Grand Rapids Community College graduates have an estimated $163 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GVSU graduates ($95 vs. $258).
• More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Grand Rapids Community College students, three years after graduation (62% vs. 34%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.