Grand View University
Grand View University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Grand View University at a Glance
Grand View University is a private liberal arts university in Des Moines, Iowa. Founded in 1896 and affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the university enrolls approximately 2,000 students and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
1896
130 years old
$40M
$39.9 million (2025)
1,886
1,761 undergrad · 125 grad
90
Identity
Is Grand View University Worth It?
At a value score of 33/100, Grand View University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $52,824 — 2% below average — while paying $21,774/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 55% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 99% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Grand View University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Grand View University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in IA
Ranked #43 of 113 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 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Albizu University-San Juan | 73 | $9,732 | $41,544 |
| #3 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #4 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #5 | Valparaiso University | 58 | $18,578 | $63,191 |
| #6 | Waynesburg University | 50 | $18,235 | $58,537 |
| #43 | Grand View University | 33 | $21,774 | $52,824 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Grand View University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in IA.
Best Programs at Grand View University
The highest-earning program at Grand View University is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $55,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $29,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from Grand View University earns $55,200, while a Biology, General graduate earns $29,400. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $21,774/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $55,200 | $55,200 | N/A |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $52,500 | $52,500 | $23,752 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $46,100 | $46,100 | $21,474 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $45,600 | $45,600 | $19,366 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $40,300 | $40,300 | $25,000 |
| Marketing | $39,800 | $39,800 | $23,154 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $39,400 | $39,400 | $18,750 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $36,300 | $36,300 | $27,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $36,300 | $36,300 | $24,172 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $34,700 | $34,700 | $21,000 |
| Human Services, General | $33,100 | $33,100 | $20,479 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $32,400 | $32,400 | $25,000 |
| Psychology, General | $30,800 | $30,800 | $22,000 |
| Biology, General | $29,400 | $29,400 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in IA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Des Moines, IA
- Student Body
- 1,486 students
- Admission Rate
- 99%
- Graduation Rate
- 55%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $21,774
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $52,824
- Median Student Debt
- $22,500