North Dakota State University-Main Campus (NDSU) vs Grand Valley State
North Dakota State University-Main Campus and Grand Valley State University stand out as two distinct institutions of higher learning, each offering unique opportunities and experiences to their students. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they differ in several key aspects. NDSU boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for prospective students. In contrast, GVSU has a slightly higher graduation rate, indicating a strong focus on student success and retention. When it comes to popular majors, NDSU excels in fields like agriculture, engineering, and nursing, while GVSU shines in business, education, and health professions. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve deeper into these differences and discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Grand Valley State University |
![]() North Dakota State University-Main Campus |
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Overview |
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Location | Allendale, Michigan | Fargo, North Dakota |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Midsize |
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% | 76.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 91.7% | 95.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$30
|
Undergraduate:
$35
Graduate:
$35
|
SAT range | N/A | 1096 - 1313 |
ACT range | N/A | 20 - 26 |
Students submitting SAT score | 1.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 63.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 17,163 | 8,143 |
Total number of admissions given out | 15,730 | 7,773 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 3,807 | 2,491 |
Yield rate | 24.2% | 32.0% |
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 | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$23,604
Out of state:
$29,340
|
In state:
$23,879
Out of state:
$28,354
|
Average net price | $16,947 | $16,677 |
Tuition |
In state:
$13,560
Out of state:
$19,296
|
In state:
$8,951
Out of state:
$13,426
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,380
Meal plan:
$3,500
|
Room/dormitory:
$4,100
Meal plan:
$4,778
|
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 |
91.0%
Average amount $4,089 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
50.0%
Average amount $5,161 |
60.0%
Average amount $5,226 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $13,024 |
28.0%
Average amount $11,868 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
19,379
Men 38.9% Women 61.1% |
10,199
Men 49.8% Women 50.2% |
Graduate students |
3,027
Men 28.0% Women 72.0% |
2,262
Men 47.4% Women 52.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Very Low
|
Out-of-state students | 10.6% | 64.0% |
International students | 1.8% | 5.5% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 6,012 | 5,563 |
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 | Minnesota North Dakota Wisconsin South Dakota California |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 15:1 | 18:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 67.1% | 64.9% |
Dropout rate | 15.6% | 10.7% |
Transferred out | 15.4% | 22.3% |
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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Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Agricultural Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
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