Grand Valley State University (GVSU) vs. Spring Arbor University (SAU)

Compare two schools with tuition, admission, test scores, and more academic characteristics.

  • Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is a public school while Spring Arbor University (SAU) is a private school.
  • Both schools are located in Michigan.
  • SAU has more expensive tuition of $32,580 than GVSU ($20,820).
  • SAU has tighter acceptance rate of 67.02% than GVSU (80.90%).
  • GVSU has higher SAT scores of 1,080 than SAU (1,050).
  • GVSU is larger with 21,648 students than SAU (2,396 students).
Grand Valley State University
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Spring Arbor University
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#24 in Michigan
Rankings#13 in Michigan
Public, 4-yearsSchool TypePrivate, 4-years
Allendale, MILocationSpring Arbor, MI
GVSUKnown asSAU
1 Year Certificate
Bachelor's
Post-Bachelor Certificate
Master's
Post-Master Certificate
Doctorate (Professional Practice)
Offered DegreesAssociate
Bachelor's
Post-Bachelor Certificate
Master's
Post-Master Certificate
Doctorate (Professional Practice)
Doctoral/Research UniversityCarnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
Tuition & Fees
$14,628 Michigan residents
$20,820 out-of-state
Undergraduate$32,580
$18,456 Michigan residents
$19,364 out-of-state
Graduate$8,194
$7,921Financial Aid$17,775
Admission
$30 undergraduate
$30 graduate
Application Fee$30 undergraduate
$30 graduate
80.90%Acceptance Rate67.02%
29.03%Yield23.76%
1,080 SAT, 24 ACTTest Scores1,050 SAT, 24 ACT
Student Population
21,648Total Students2,396
18,665Undergraduate1,127
2,983Graduate1,269
1,190Online Enrollment1,029
Graduation Rate & Outcomes
66%Graduation Rate60%
14%Transfer-out Rate28%
79%Retention Rate68%
$47,200Average Earning after Graduation$45,000
Special Learning Opportunities and Student Services
Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for GraduateDistance Learning (Online Classes)Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Both Undergraduate and Graduate
ROTC
Study Abroad
Weekend/Evening College
Teacher Certifiate
Special OpportunitiesROTC
Study Abroad
Weekend/Evening College
Teacher Certifiate
✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 6,012)
$6,440 average annual costs
On-Campus Living✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 947)
$4,932 average annual costs
Not offered or not ReportedMeal Plan✔ (19 meals per week)
$5,720 average annual costs
Faculties and Staffs
15 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio10 to 1
1,101 Full-time
427 Part-time
Number of Faculties82 Full-time
238 Part-time
2,489 Full-time
445 Part-time
Number of Staffs253 Full-time
257 Part-time
$85,391 for Faculties
$67,721 Part-time
Average Salary$51,720 for Faculties
$49,376 Part-time
All data used in our site is from IPEDS (The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), U.S. Department of Education, academic year 2022-2023