GVSU vs. CUW

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

 GVSU CUW
Location Allendale, MI Mequon, WI
Setting Large Suburban Rural Fringe
Enrollment 21,648 4,988
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #583 #395
Religious Affiliation - Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gvsu.edu cuw.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 GVSU CUW
Tuition (In State) $13,952 $32,770
Tuition (Out of State) $19,856 $32,770
Room & Board $10,140 $12,160
Avg Net Price $17,105 $24,485
Avg Grant Aid $8,811 $23,477
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 99%

Admission

 GVSU CUW
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,123 3,544
Admitted 15,474 2,494
Acceptance Rate 90.4% 70.4%
Enrolled % 25% 16.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.52
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/27 20/26
SAT Range 960/1210
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, 2024

Academics

 GVSU CUW
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Business (40%)
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (4%)

Outcomes

 GVSU CUW
Graduation Rate 63% 58%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $46,100
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 52%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $23,925
Median Loan Payment $258 $247

Diversity

 GVSU CUW
% Men 38% 33%
% Women 62% 67%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 83% 72%
% Black 5% 15%
% Hispanic 5% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

 GVSU CUW
% In-State 91% 63%
% Out-of-State 8% 37%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Grand Valley State University is larger than than CUW based on total student enrollment (21,648 students vs. 4,988 students)

GVSU vs. CUW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GVSU or CUW?

  • Concordia University Wisconsin is 134.9% more expensive to attend than GVSU for in-state tuition ($32,770.00 vs. $13,952.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 65% higher at CUW than Grand Valley State University ($32,770.00 vs. $19,856.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Grand Valley State University than CUW ($17,105 vs. $24,485)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 19.9% lower than costs at Concordia University Wisconsin ($10,140 vs. $12,160)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Concordia University Wisconsin than Grand Valley State University (99% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Wisconsin students is 166.5% larger than aid received Grand Valley State University ($23,477 vs. $8,811)

GVSU vs. CUW Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Grand Valley State University (1090) is 24 points higher than at CUW (1066)
  • Incoming GVSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at CUW (23)
  • Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at CUW (3.52)
  • GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than CUW (70.4%)

GVSU vs. CUW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GVSU or CUW? 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 CUW and GVSU.

  • The graduation rate at GVSU is higher than Concordia University Wisconsin (63% vs. 58%)
  • Graduates from Concordia University Wisconsin earn on average $1,500 more per year than GVSU graduates after ten years. ($46,100 vs. $44,600)
  • Concordia University Wisconsin students graduate with a $1,075 lower median federal student loan debt than GVSU graduates. ($23,925 vs. $25,000)
  • CUW graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than GVSU graduates. ($247 vs. $258)
  • More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CUW students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 52%)

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