Grand Valley State University: Student Population Insights

Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is a large public university in Allendale, Michigan, with a total undergraduate enrollment of around 19,000 to 20,000 students and a campus size of over 1,000 acres. The university has a large undergraduate focus and offers over 200 areas of study, including 82 undergraduate majors and 36 graduate programs. In addition to its main campus in Allendale, GVSU operates seven other locations throughout Michigan.

Undergraduate vs graduate students: 19,002 vs 3,009

Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is a public university in Allendale, Michigan, with a large undergraduate enrollment. As of Fall 2023, GVSU had a total of 19,243 undergraduate students, with a gender distribution of 39.7% male and 60.1% female students. The university also had 3,026 graduate students enrolled during the same period.

GVSU's undergraduate admissions are classified as "more selective" by U.S. News & World Report, with the university admitting 69% of applicants for the 2008-2009 academic year. The university received 17,163 applications for the Class of 2025 and accepted 91.7%, with 3,807 enrolling.

The university offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with over 300 areas of study. GVSU's undergraduate programs include more than 100 degree programs, while its graduate programs comprise 36 degree options with various specializations.

The large number of undergraduate students at GVSU contributes to a vibrant and diverse campus community. The university provides numerous opportunities for extracurricular involvement, with over 300 student organizations. About 5% of the undergraduate community participates in Greek life, with more than 20 chapters to choose from. Additionally, GVSU's athletic programs offer a range of varsity sports, with the Grand Valley State Lakers competing in the NCAA Division II and the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

In contrast, the graduate student population at GVSU is significantly smaller, with approximately 3,000 students. Graduate programs at GVSU provide advanced study and research opportunities in various fields. The university's graduate school is located on the Robert C. Pew Campus in Grand Rapids, offering a range of master's and doctoral programs.

The disparity in undergraduate and graduate student numbers at GVSU reflects the university's focus on providing a broad foundation for undergraduate education while also offering specialized graduate programs. The large undergraduate population contributes to a dynamic campus environment, while the smaller graduate programs facilitate more intimate learning experiences and close collaboration between students and faculty.

International students: 625

Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is a large public university in Allendale, Michigan, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 19,243 students as of Fall 2023. Of these, 625 are international students, representing 82 countries.

GVSU's main campus sits on over 1,300 acres of land, with additional campuses and regional centers across Michigan, including Grand Rapids, Holland, Battle Creek, Detroit, Muskegon, and Traverse City. The university offers its students a \"big school\" experience with a focus on community building. It provides a wide range of extracurricular activities, with over 300 student organizations to choose from and more than 20 Greek chapters. While not mandatory, GVSU recommends that first-year students live on campus, with 86-87% of freshmen choosing to do so.

In terms of academics, GVSU offers various degree programs, including 82 undergraduate majors and 36 graduate programs across seven degree-granting colleges. The university prioritizes research, with a quarter of its students participating in faculty-led research projects. It also emphasizes a liberal education foundation, encouraging critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and cultural understanding.

With a strong athletic program, GVSU's NCAA Division II sports teams, known as the Lakers, have won numerous national championships and consistently perform well in the Director's Cup. The university provides ample opportunities for students to get involved, both on and off the field, fostering a well-rounded and engaging educational experience.

GVSU's international student population of 625 adds to the diverse and vibrant community on campus, contributing to a global perspective in the classroom and beyond.

Gender distribution: 39.7% male, 60.1% female

Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is a public university in Allendale, Michigan, established in 1960. The latest data shows that GVSU has a total undergraduate enrollment of 19,243 students as of Fall 2023, with a gender distribution of 39.7% male and 60.1% female. This means that there are approximately 7,639 male students and 11,604 female students enrolled as undergraduates at GVSU. This gender distribution indicates a higher proportion of female students at the university.

The university's main campus is situated on 1,322 acres, with additional campuses and regional centers across Michigan, including Grand Rapids, Holland, Battle Creek, Detroit, Muskegon, and Traverse City. As of Fall 2021, GVSU enrolled more than 24,000 students from all 83 Michigan counties and other states and countries. The university has a large and diverse student population, offering over 200 areas of study, including 82 undergraduate majors and 36 graduate programs.

GVSU's student housing data from Fall 2023 shows that 33% of students live in college-owned, operated, or affiliated housing, while 67% of students choose to live off-campus. The university encourages first-year students to live on campus to facilitate their involvement in campus life and provide a smoother transition to university life.

In terms of athletics, GVSU's intercollegiate athletic teams, known as the Grand Valley State Lakers, compete at the NCAA Division II level and offer a range of sports for both men and women. The university's athletic programs have achieved notable success, with the Lakers winning 28 NCAA Division II National Championships across various sports.

On-campus vs off-campus: 33% vs 67%

Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is a large public university in Allendale, Michigan, established in 1960. The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of 19,243 as of fall 2023, with a gender distribution of 39.7% male students and 60.1% female students. The university also has 3,009 graduate students, bringing the total student population to over 22,000.

GVSU offers its students a choice between on-campus and off-campus living. On-campus living is recommended for first-year students to help them get involved in campus life more easily. As of fall 2014, 86% of first-year students lived on campus. However, as of fall 2023, only 33% of students live in college-owned, operated, or affiliated housing, while 67% live off-campus. This shift may be due to several factors, such as the desire for more independence, the availability of off-campus housing options, or the preference for a different lifestyle.

GVSU's main campus in Allendale offers a range of housing options, including 29 living centers (residence halls) and three on-campus apartment complexes, totaling 6,068 beds. The university also has two residence halls on its Pew Grand Rapids Campus. Additionally, GVSU has a variety of dining options, with six individual dining halls on campus, five of which are on the Allendale campus and one on the Pew campus.

The benefits of on-campus living at GVSU include convenience, a sense of community, and easy access to campus facilities and resources. On the other hand, off-campus living offers more independence, privacy, and a chance to explore life outside the campus bubble. Off-campus housing may also be more cost-effective, depending on the location and type of accommodation chosen.

The choice between on-campus and off-campus living depends on various factors, including personal preferences, financial considerations, and the level of independence desired. GVSU's large student population and range of housing options allow students to choose the living arrangement that best suits their needs and preferences.

Student housing: 29 living centres and three apartment complexes

Grand Valley State University offers a wide variety of housing options for its students, with 29 living centres and three apartment complexes. The university recommends that first-year students live on campus to help them get involved in campus life more easily.

The university's North Campus in Allendale offers five styles of living centres for first-year students: traditional-style, cluster-style, suite-style, one-bedroom apartment-style, and two-bedroom apartment-style. Traditional-style living centres are co-ed and provide the "true" college experience, with community-style bathrooms and private shower rooms. Cluster-style living centres are similar but offer lockers and fewer students per bathroom. Suite-style living centres consist of two students per room and four students per suite with a shared bathroom. One-bedroom apartment-style units are ideal for those seeking more privacy, while two-bedroom apartment-style units offer private bedrooms. All these options are conveniently located near Kleiner Commons, the tutoring centre, dining options, and Mackinac Hall, where most freshmen have classes.

The South Campus in Allendale provides on-campus apartments, primarily for returning residents, transfer students, and graduate students. First-year residents who are part of the Women in Science or Engineering living/learning communities are also eligible to live in these apartments. The South Campus features the Laker Village Apartments and the Niemeyer Honor College, which offers two-bedroom apartments. The South Campus provides a balance of privacy and community, with outdoor amenities like a volleyball court, basketball court, and a large courtyard.

Additionally, the university has two on-campus apartment buildings on its Robert C. Pew Campus in downtown Grand Rapids: Secchia Hall and Winter Hall. These feature fully furnished one, two, three, and four-bedroom apartments with air conditioning and workout facilities. Students living here benefit from being close to their classes, student services, and the vibrant downtown area.

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