University of Northern Iowa (UNI) vs Grand Valley State
Envision yourself as a student, embarking on a journey of higher education. As you navigate the vast landscape of universities, two prominent institutions emerge: the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) and Grand Valley State University (GVSU). While both offer exceptional academic experiences, they possess distinct characteristics that may influence your decision. UNI, nestled in the heart of Cedar Falls, Iowa, boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a diverse student body from various backgrounds. GVSU, located in the vibrant city of Allendale, Michigan, stands out with its lower acceptance rate, indicating a highly selective admissions process. Explore the comparison table below to delve into further details, including popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates, to determine which university aligns best with your aspirations and goals.
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![]() Grand Valley State University |
![]() University of Northern Iowa |
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Overview |
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Location | Allendale, Michigan | Cedar Falls, Iowa |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Small |
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% | 81.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 91.7% | 85.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$30
|
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$60
|
SAT range | N/A | 980 - 1190 |
ACT range | N/A | 20 - 26 |
Students submitting SAT score | 3.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 66.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 17,163 | 4,772 |
Total number of admissions given out | 15,730 | 4,094 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 3,807 | 1,553 |
Yield rate | 24.2% | 37.9% |
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:
$21,409
Out of state:
$32,109
|
Average net price | $16,947 | $15,231 |
Tuition |
In state:
$13,560
Out of state:
$19,296
|
In state:
$7,780
Out of state:
$18,480
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,380
Meal plan:
$3,500
|
Room/dormitory:
$4,699
Meal plan:
$4,461
|
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 |
76.0%
Average amount $6,227 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
50.0%
Average amount $5,161 |
47.0%
Average amount $5,115 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $13,024 |
8.0%
Average amount $7,770 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
19,379
Men 38.9% Women 61.1% |
7,967
Men 38.9% Women 61.1% |
Graduate students |
3,027
Men 28.0% Women 72.0% |
1,250
Men 25.9% Women 74.1% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Very Low
|
Out-of-state students | 10.6% | 9.5% |
International students | 1.8% | 2.4% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 6,012 | 3,412 |
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 | Iowa Illinois Minnesota Wisconsin Missouri |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
|
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Students to faculty ratio | 15:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 67.1% | 68.9% |
Dropout rate | 15.6% | 9.5% |
Transferred out | 15.4% | 20.6% |
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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Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Real Estate (Bachelor's Degrees)
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