App State vs Grand Valley State
Appalachian State University and Grand Valley State University, both highly regarded institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Appalachian State, nestled in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, boasts a vibrant campus culture and a strong focus on undergraduate education. Grand Valley State, located in the heart of Michigan's lakeshore region, is known for its innovative academic programs and commitment to community engagement. With varying acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates, these universities cater to diverse student populations and aspirations. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.
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![]() Appalachian State University |
![]() Grand Valley State University |
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Overview |
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Location | Boone, North Carolina | Allendale, Michigan |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | Suburb: Large |
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 | 86.0% | 83.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 84.7% | 91.7% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$65
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Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$30
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SAT range | 1130 - 1300 | N/A |
ACT range | 24 - 29 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 9.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 23.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 21,120 | 17,163 |
Total number of admissions given out | 17,886 | 15,730 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 4,099 | 3,807 |
Yield rate | 22.9% | 24.2% |
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 | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$22,220
Out of state:
$37,827
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In state:
$23,604
Out of state:
$29,340
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Average net price | $12,735 | $16,947 |
Tuition |
In state:
$4,242
Out of state:
$19,849
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In state:
$13,560
Out of state:
$19,296
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,595
Meal plan:
$4,086
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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) |
54.0%
Average amount $7,652 |
80.0%
Average amount $8,376 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
45.0%
Average amount $5,054 |
50.0%
Average amount $5,161 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $12,285 |
6.0%
Average amount $13,024 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
18,555
Men 43.3% Women 56.7% |
19,379
Men 38.9% Women 61.1% |
Graduate students |
2,086
Men 29.6% Women 70.4% |
3,027
Men 28.0% Women 72.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 10.5% | 10.6% |
International students | 0.5% | 1.8% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 5,971 | 6,012 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | North Carolina South Carolina Virginia Georgia Florida | 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 | 17:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 72.7% | 67.1% |
Dropout rate | 7.6% | 15.6% |
Transferred out | 18.3% | 15.4% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (First Professional Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Administration (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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