Overview
Enrollment
Saginaw Valley State University, located in University Center, Michigan, sits on a suburban campus approximately 5 miles from downtown Saginaw and 90 minutes north of Detroit. Established in 1963 as a public institution, SVSU operates on a 748-acre campus featuring modern academic buildings and residential facilities that house approximately 2,500 students in on-campus apartments and living centers. The university maintains a moderate acceptance rate and offers comprehensive undergraduate programs, with notable strengths in health sciences, education, and business administration. As a member of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, SVSU's athletic teams, known as the Cardinals, compete in 17 varsity sports.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Saginaw Valley State University is rated within the lower 35% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Saginaw Valley State University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#888 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#350 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#31 in Best Colleges in Michigan
#14 in Best Public Colleges in Michigan
#64 in Best Value Colleges in Michigan
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 940/1160 |
| ACT | 19/25 |
| GPA | 3.48 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Michigan Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,120 |
| Other Fees | $0 |
| Room and Board | $11,700 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $1,220 |
| Total One Year Cost | $26,280 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,120 |
| Other Fees | $0 |
| Room and Board | $11,700 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $1,220 |
| Total One Year Cost | $42,792 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Education | 18% |
| Business | 16% |
| Health Professions | 14% |
| Human Services | 7% |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting | 6% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Saginaw Valley State University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=172051 IPEDS survey data for Saginaw Valley State University.
Current students may use the Saginaw Valley State University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025