Allendale, MI · Private University
Is Grand Valley State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$56,118
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$14,628
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$20,820
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$83,280
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.69x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.9 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
68.7%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$24,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$17,096
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Grand Valley State University graduates earn $11,118 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Grand Valley State University ranked by graduate earnings
141 graduates
25 graduates
34 graduates
59 graduates
29 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Grand Valley State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Grand Valley State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer and Information Sciences, General: $83,360) and the lowest (Health and Physical Education/Fitness: $29,913) is $53,447/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralBest ROI | $83,360 | 4.0x |
| Computer Engineering(1yr data) | $80,746 | 3.9x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering(1yr data) | $80,732 | 3.9x |
| Information Science/Studies | $78,415 | 3.8x |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | $77,049 | 3.7x |
| Manufacturing Engineering(1yr data) | $76,754 | 3.7x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $74,658 | 3.6x |
| International Business | $72,435 | 3.5x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $70,536 | 3.4x |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $67,149 | 3.2x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $66,308 | 3.2x |
| Statistics | $65,601 | 3.1x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $64,391 | 3.1x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $63,576 | 3.0x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions(1yr data) | $63,038 | 3.0x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $60,566 | 2.9x |
| Marketing | $60,394 | 2.9x |
| Economics | $58,840 | 2.8x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $56,527 | 2.7x |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $54,508 | 2.6x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $53,326 | 2.6x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $52,352 | 2.5x |
| Political Science and Government | $51,687 | 2.5x |
| Chemistry | $51,621 | 2.5x |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $50,453 | 2.4x |
| Human Resources Management and Services(1yr data) | $50,259 | 2.4x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $49,854 | 2.4x |
| Special Education and Teaching(1yr data) | $49,494 | 2.4x |
| Legal Support Services | $47,792 | 2.3x |
| Geography and Cartography | $46,379 | 2.2x |
| Mathematics | $46,279 | 2.2x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $44,505 | 2.1x |
| Social Sciences, General | $44,033 | 2.1x |
| Social Work | $43,692 | 2.1x |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations(1yr data) | $43,391 | 2.1x |
| Education, General | $43,291 | 2.1x |
| Psychology, General | $43,206 | 2.1x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $43,064 | 2.1x |
| Sociology | $42,878 | 2.1x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $42,856 | 2.1x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $42,808 | 2.1x |
| Public Administration | $42,633 | 2.0x |
| Biology, General | $42,578 | 2.0x |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | $42,559 | 2.0x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $42,196 | 2.0x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $41,931 | 2.0x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $41,299 | 2.0x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $40,367 | 1.9x |
| History | $40,199 | 1.9x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services(1yr data) | $40,032 | 1.9x |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $39,784 | 1.9x |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | $39,223 | 1.9x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences(1yr data) | $38,675 | 1.9x |
| Music | $37,353 | 1.8x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $35,370 | 1.7x |
| Anthropology | $33,623 | 1.6x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $32,664 | 1.6x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences(1yr data) | $32,644 | 1.6x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $31,984 | 1.5x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $31,762 | 1.5x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology(1yr data) | $30,141 | 1.4x |
| Health and Physical Education/FitnessLowest(1yr data) | $29,913 | 1.4x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Grand Valley State University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $56,118 10 years after starting, $11,118 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.9 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.