Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Grand Valley State University at a Glance
Grand Valley State University is a public university in Allendale, Michigan, United States. It was established in 1960 as Grand Valley State College. Its main campus is situated on 1,322 acres (5.35 km2) approximately 12 miles (19 km) west of Grand Rapids. The university also features campuses in Grand Rapids and Holland and regional centers in Battle Creek, Detroit, Muskegon, and Traverse City.
1960
66 years old
$231M
$231.3 million (2025)
22,011
19,154 undergrad · 2,881 grad
1,760
1,322 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Grand Valley State University
Official admissions pageTesting policy
Is Grand Valley State University Worth It?
Grand Valley State University offers moderate value at $16,317/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $56,118, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 68% graduation rate means roughly 32% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Grand Valley State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in MI
Ranked #32 of 89 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #2 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #3 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #4 | Santa Ana College | 100 | $3,133 | $43,552 |
| #5 | Santa Monica College | 100 | $2,779 | $42,193 |
| #6 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #32 | Grand Valley State University | 58 | $16,317 | $56,118 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Grand Valley State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in MI.
Best Programs at Grand Valley State University
The highest-earning program at Grand Valley State University is Mechanical Engineering at $66,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Film/Video and Photographic Arts at $22,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Mechanical Engineering graduate from Grand Valley State University earns $66,200, while a Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduate earns $22,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Mechanical Engineering graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $25,496 for Film/Video and Photographic Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,317/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | $66,200 | $66,200 | $27,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $63,900 | $63,900 | $26,949 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $56,800 | $56,800 | $27,000 |
| Information Science/Studies | $56,200 | $56,200 | $27,000 |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | $54,200 | $54,200 | $26,658 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $52,900 | $52,900 | $24,064 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $50,300 | $50,300 | $25,000 |
| International Business | $49,000 | $49,000 | $23,761 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $47,100 | $47,100 | $24,176 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $45,700 | $45,700 | $23,250 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $44,600 | $44,600 | $23,000 |
| Statistics | $44,200 | $44,200 | $23,000 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $43,000 | $43,000 | $24,842 |
| Chemistry | $42,700 | $42,700 | $27,000 |
| Marketing | $41,800 | $41,800 | $20,954 |
| Mathematics | $37,700 | $37,700 | $27,000 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | $35,900 | $35,900 | $29,493 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $35,400 | $35,400 | $27,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $34,800 | $34,800 | $25,434 |
| Education, General | $34,800 | $34,800 | $29,000 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $34,800 | $34,800 | $25,166 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $33,800 | $33,800 | $26,062 |
| Music | $33,400 | $33,400 | $27,500 |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | $33,000 | $33,000 | $21,500 |
| Social Sciences, General | $32,800 | $32,800 | $28,651 |
| Political Science and Government | $32,600 | $32,600 | $22,609 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $32,400 | $32,400 | $22,884 |
| Legal Support Services | $31,700 | $31,700 | $23,750 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $31,000 | $31,000 | $26,932 |
| Public Administration | $30,600 | $30,600 | $27,000 |
| Sociology | $30,300 | $30,300 | $24,273 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $29,700 | $29,700 | $25,242 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $29,400 | $29,400 | $26,000 |
| Biology, General | $29,400 | $29,400 | $25,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $29,300 | $29,300 | $28,250 |
| History | $29,200 | $29,200 | $28,500 |
| Social Work | $29,100 | $29,100 | $25,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $29,000 | $29,000 | $25,625 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $28,900 | $28,900 | $25,500 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $28,900 | $28,900 | $23,000 |
| Psychology, General | $28,000 | $28,000 | $25,000 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $26,400 | $26,400 | $24,696 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $26,300 | $26,300 | $27,174 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $25,200 | $25,200 | $25,250 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $25,000 | $25,000 | $28,000 |
| Anthropology | $24,600 | $24,600 | $27,750 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $22,800 | $22,800 | $25,496 |
Similar Colleges in MI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Allendale, MI
- Student Body
- 18,854 students
- Admission Rate
- 83%
- Graduation Rate
- 68%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,317
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $56,118
- Median Student Debt
- $24,500