Capella vs Grand Valley State
Capella University and Grand Valley State University, while both offering quality education, present distinct characteristics that cater to different student preferences. Capella, a private online university, boasts a remarkably high acceptance rate of 100%, making it an accessible option for aspiring learners. In contrast, Grand Valley State University, a public institution with a traditional campus setting, maintains a more selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 79%. Capella's student body primarily comprises working adults seeking flexible learning options, while Grand Valley's student population is a diverse mix of traditional undergraduates and graduate students. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details regarding tuition fees, popular majors, graduation rates, and other crucial factors that will help you make an informed decision about your educational journey.
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![]() Capella University |
![]() Grand Valley State University |
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Overview |
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Location | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Allendale, Michigan |
Campus setting | City: Large | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (For Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Quarter | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 60.0% | 83.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | Open Admission | 91.7% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$30
|
SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 17,163 | |
Total number of admissions given out | 15,730 | |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 3,807 | |
Yield rate | 24.2% | |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | |
High school GPA | N/A | Required |
Recommendation letters | N/A | Not required |
High school transcript | N/A | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | N/A | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $21,572 |
In state:
$23,604
Out of state:
$29,340
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Average net price | $17,840 | $16,947 |
Tuition | $14,148 |
In state:
$13,560
Out of state:
$19,296
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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) |
100.0%
Average amount $3,202 |
80.0%
Average amount $8,376 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
100.0%
Average amount $7,943 |
50.0%
Average amount $5,161 |
Students taking out private loans |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
6.0%
Average amount $13,024 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
12,383
Men 19.2% Women 80.8% |
19,379
Men 38.9% Women 61.1% |
Graduate students |
26,333
Men 17.0% Women 83.0% |
3,027
Men 28.0% Women 72.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 10.6% |
International students | 0.6% | 1.8% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | N/A | 6,012 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | N/A | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Michigan Illinois Indiana Ohio Texas |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 32:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 50.0% | 67.1% |
Dropout rate | 50.0% | 15.6% |
Transferred out | N/A | 15.4% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Management Information Systems and Services (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Doctoral Degrees)
Homeland Security (Doctoral Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Doctoral Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Doctoral Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Doctoral Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
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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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