Grand Valley State vs Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (SIUE)

Grand Valley State University (GVSU) and Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (SIUE) are two distinct universities with unique offerings. GVSU, located in Allendale, Michigan, boasts a higher acceptance rate (84%) compared to SIUE's 78%. Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with GVSU excelling in fields like business, engineering, and health professions, while SIUE shines in nursing, education, and engineering. GVSU's student body is slightly larger, with over 25,000 students, while SIUE has a more intimate community of around 14,000 students. When it comes to graduation rates, GVSU holds a slight edge with a 6-year graduation rate of 68% compared to SIUE's 65%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more distinctions between these two institutions and make an informed decision about your higher education journey.

	Grand Valley State University	Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
Overview
Location	Allendale, Michigan	Edwardsville, Illinois
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%	74.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	91.7%	98.1%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $30 Graduate: $30	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $40
SAT range	N/A	920 - 1160
ACT range	N/A	19 - 26
Students submitting SAT score		49.0%
Students submitting ACT score		26.0%
Total number of applicants	17,163	8,995
Total number of admissions given out	15,730	8,821
Admitted students who chose to enroll	3,807	1,992
Yield rate	24.2%	22.6%
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

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $23,604 Out of state: $29,340	$26,007
Average net price	$16,947	$15,519
Tuition	In state: $13,560 Out of state: $19,296	$9,123
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,380 Meal plan: $3,500	Room/dormitory: $6,290 Meal plan: $4,920
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	80.0% Average amount $8,376	99.0% Average amount $8,667
Students receiving federal student loan	50.0% Average amount $5,161	46.0% Average amount $5,063
Students taking out private loans	6.0% Average amount $13,024	5.0% Average amount $10,038

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	19,379 Men 38.9% Women 61.1%	9,967 Men 42.8% Women 57.2%
Graduate students	3,027 Men 28.0% Women 72.0%	3,043 Men 38.1% Women 61.9%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Very Low	Low
Out-of-state students	10.6%	16.6%
International students	1.8%	4.1%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	6,012	3,006
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	Illinois Missouri Texas California Indiana

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Education Business Public Administration and Social Service Kinesiology & Leisure Studies	Health Professions Business Engineering Education Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
Students to faculty ratio	15:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	67.1%	51.8%
Dropout rate	15.6%	11.6%
Transferred out	15.4%	32.8%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $103,525 Year 2: $105,839 Year 3: $111,967 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $91,846 Year 2: $96,539 Year 3: $93,695 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $79,623 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $83,454 Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $68,965 Year 2: $68,666 Year 3: $73,434 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,881 Year 2: $62,691 Year 3: $72,792 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,211 Year 2: $65,969 Year 3: $72,474 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,095 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $71,736 Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $57,039 Year 2: $58,479 Year 3: $69,240 Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,382 Year 2: $59,124 Year 3: $68,410 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $69,161 Year 2: $67,939 Year 3: $68,289	Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $123,885 Year 2: $131,918 Year 3: $131,417 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $115,760 Year 2: $122,038 Year 3: $122,898 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $97,776 Year 2: $147,557 Year 3: $108,891 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,415 Year 2: $67,240 Year 3: $77,916 Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,721 Year 2: $65,979 Year 3: $74,972 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,868 Year 2: $65,889 Year 3: $74,137 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $71,907 Year 2: $56,931 Year 3: $72,924 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,725 Year 2: $60,452 Year 3: $67,195 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,153 Year 2: $59,534 Year 3: $67,063 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $57,616 Year 2: $57,770 Year 3: $63,574

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences in location and campus environment between Grand Valley State University (GVSU) and Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (SIUE)?

GVSU has a main campus in Allendale, Michigan, a suburban setting near Grand Rapids, offering a blend of campus life and access to a larger city. SIUE is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, a smaller city near St. Louis, Missouri. SIUE offers a more self-contained campus environment with convenient access to a major metropolitan area.
How do GVSU and SIUE compare in terms of student population and campus size?

GVSU is a larger university with a total student population around 22,000, while SIUE has a smaller student body of approximately 13,000. This difference in size can influence class sizes and the overall campus feel, with GVSU potentially offering a wider range of activities and SIUE providing a more close-knit community.
Which university, GVSU or SIUE, is generally considered more affordable for in-state students?

SIUE is generally more affordable for in-state students due to lower tuition rates compared to GVSU. However, the overall cost of attendance can vary depending on factors like housing, fees, and personal expenses. It's best to check the latest tuition and fee schedules on each university's website for the most accurate information.
How do the academic programs at GVSU and SIUE differ?

Both GVSU and SIUE offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. GVSU is known for its strong programs in business, health professions, and education. SIUE has notable programs in engineering, nursing, and business. It's recommended to explore the specific departments and course offerings of each university to see which aligns best with your academic interests.
What types of student activities and extracurricular opportunities are available at GVSU and SIUE?

Both universities offer a variety of student activities, including clubs, organizations, sports, and cultural events. GVSU has a larger selection of student organizations due to its larger student body. SIUE offers a more focused range of activities, with a strong emphasis on student involvement and leadership opportunities. Both universities have active Greek life and intramural sports programs.
How do GVSU and SIUE compare in terms of their athletic programs?

GVSU competes in NCAA Division II athletics, while SIUE competes in NCAA Division I athletics. This means SIUE generally has a higher level of competition and visibility in its athletic programs. If participating in or closely following Division I sports is important to you, SIUE might be a better fit. GVSU offers a strong athletic program at the Division II level.
What are the career services and internship opportunities like at GVSU and SIUE?

Both GVSU and SIUE offer career services to help students with internships, job searches, and career planning. GVSU's location near Grand Rapids provides access to a larger job market and internship opportunities in various industries. SIUE's proximity to St. Louis offers similar advantages, particularly in fields like engineering, healthcare, and business. Both universities actively work to connect students with employers.
How does the campus housing at GVSU compare to that of SIUE?

GVSU offers a variety of on-campus housing options, including traditional residence halls, apartments, and living-learning communities. SIUE also provides on-campus housing, with a mix of residence halls and apartments. The availability and cost of housing can vary, so it's best to check each university's housing website for the most up-to-date information. GVSU's larger size means more diverse housing options.
What is the overall academic reputation of GVSU versus SIUE?

Both GVSU and SIUE are regionally accredited universities with solid academic reputations. GVSU is often recognized for its strong undergraduate programs and commitment to experiential learning. SIUE is known for its professional programs, particularly in engineering and nursing, and its focus on research and graduate studies. The 'best' reputation depends on your specific academic field of interest.
How do GVSU and SIUE support diversity and inclusion on campus?

Both GVSU and SIUE have initiatives and programs aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion. They offer resources and support services for students from diverse backgrounds. GVSU has a dedicated Office of Multicultural Affairs, while SIUE has a Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion. It's recommended to explore each university's website to learn more about their specific diversity and inclusion efforts.

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