More selective than 34% of Michigan colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
59% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 5% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose GVSU over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What GVSU weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as GVSU reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Rigor of high school courses
- High school GPA
- SAT/ACT scores
- Class rank
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurricular activities
- Character and personal qualities
- First-generation college student
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Interview
- Talent or ability
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Where you live
- State residency
- Religious affiliation
- Your demonstrated interest
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
High school GPA of GVSU first-year students
Share of fall 2025 first-year students in each high school GPA range; the average was 3.40. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.
99% of first-year students reported a high school GPA.
Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college. Note: GPA ranges are for students who sent test scores (the college left the all-students column blank).
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
GVSU SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, GVSU is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 480 | 600 |
| SAT math | 460 | 590 |
| ACT composite | 22 | 30 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 940 | 1190 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
GVSU admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 83% | 480–600 | 460–590 | 22–30 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 95% | 480–600 | 460–590 | 21–28 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is GVSU compared with other Michigan colleges?
GVSU has the 28th-lowest acceptance rate of 42 Michigan colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | Albion College | 81% | 62% | $14,301 |
| 25 | Wayne State University | 81% | 58% | $12,766 |
| 26 | Andrews University | 82% | 72% | $12,547 |
| 27 | Baker College | 82% | 36% | $13,157 |
| 28 | Grand Valley State University | 83% | 67% | $16,317 |
| 29 | The University of Olivet | 83% | 35% | $21,393 |
| 30 | Northern Michigan University | 84% | 52% | $14,085 |
| 31 | Western Michigan University | 85% | 58% | $15,273 |
| 32 | Michigan State University | 85% | 81% | $19,680 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Michigan colleges →
Who enrolls at GVSU
College Scorecard; IPEDS
GVSU admissions questions
What is the GVSU acceptance rate?
Grand Valley State University accepts 83% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 23,008 of 24,297 applicants were admitted.
Does GVSU require the SAT or ACT?
Grand Valley State University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 59% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 5% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for GVSU?
The middle 50% of Grand Valley State University enrolled first-year students scored 940–1190 on the SAT and 22–30 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at GVSU?
21% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (4,836 of 23,008).
What does GVSU look for in applicants?
Grand Valley State University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: rigor of high school courses, high school GPA. Important: sAT/ACT scores. Considered: class rank, essay, recommendations, extracurricular activities, character and personal qualities, first-generation college student, volunteer work, work experience. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Does GVSU have early decision?
No. Grand Valley State University does not offer binding early decision (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Is GVSU getting harder to get into?
Grand Valley State University accepted 83% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 95% for Fall 2023.
Is GVSU the right fit for your family?
Get a free report comparing GVSU with up to 4 other schools on what you'd actually pay, what graduates in your major earn, and how each fits your priorities.
Build my free reportCheck my chances of getting inWe never share your contact information.
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; GVSU's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Grand Valley State University overview