Grand Valley State vs Purdue University Northwest (PNWU)
Grand Valley State University (GVSU) and Purdue University Northwest (PNW) are two distinct institutions of higher learning, each offering unique opportunities and experiences to their students. GVSU, located in Allendale, Michigan, boasts a higher acceptance rate (84%) compared to PNW's 78%, making it a more accessible option for prospective students. In terms of student body demographics, GVSU has a larger undergraduate population (15,000+) than PNW (7,000+), and its student body is more diverse, with a higher percentage of international students. PNW, on the other hand, has a higher graduation rate (60%) compared to GVSU's 56%, indicating a stronger focus on student success and retention. To help you make an informed decision about your higher education journey, we have compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these differences and more, including popular majors, tuition costs, and campus life.
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![]() Grand Valley State University |
![]() Purdue University Northwest |
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Overview |
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Location | Allendale, Michigan | Hammond, Indiana |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 83.0% | 60.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 91.7% | 76.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$30
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Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$60
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SAT range | N/A | 990 - 1190 |
ACT range | N/A | 19 - 26 |
Students submitting SAT score | 38.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 8.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 17,163 | 3,642 |
Total number of admissions given out | 15,730 | 2,781 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 3,807 | 1,067 |
Yield rate | 24.2% | 38.4% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$23,604
Out of state:
$29,340
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In state:
$22,356
Out of state:
$29,247
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Average net price | $16,947 | $8,472 |
Tuition |
In state:
$13,560
Out of state:
$19,296
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In state:
$7,268
Out of state:
$14,159
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,380
Meal plan:
$3,500
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
80.0%
Average amount $8,376 |
61.0%
Average amount $7,048 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
50.0%
Average amount $5,161 |
34.0%
Average amount $4,744 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $13,024 |
2.0%
Average amount $8,768 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
19,379
Men 38.9% Women 61.1% |
8,044
Men 41.6% Women 58.4% |
Graduate students |
3,027
Men 28.0% Women 72.0% |
750
Men 34.5% Women 65.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 10.6% | 8.9% |
International students | 1.8% | 3.0% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 6,012 | 744 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Michigan Illinois Indiana Ohio Texas | Indiana Illinois Michigan Ohio Alabama |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 15:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 67.1% | 40.3% |
Dropout rate | 15.6% | 54.6% |
Transferred out | 15.4% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
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