Grand Valley Admissions -> Undergraduate Admissions -> About Grand Valley
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Experience Excellence at
Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley State University, established in 1960, is a four-year public university in West Michigan providing a fully accredited liberal arts undergraduate and graduate education to more than 23,000 students. Grand Valley offers more than 200 areas of study, providing a wide selection of majors and minors. The emphasis on academic excellence is evident in small class sizes taught by high-caliber faculty and unique faculty-undergraduate student research opportunities that are more typical of graduate programs. State-of-the-art facilities and housing on both the main campus in Allendale and the downtown Grand Rapids campus further enhance the college experience, making Grand Valley a top choice for both Michigan and non-Michigan residents.

Academic Excellence
  • More than 200 areas of study, including 69 undergraduate majors and 26 graduate programs
  • Graduate-level research opportunities for undergraduate students
  • Liberal education focus emphasizing critical thinking and creative problem solving
First-rate Faculty
  • Talented and highly credentialed faculty are dedicated to teaching
  • Faculty are actively engaged in their disciplines
  • Faculty care about students, frequently developing mentoring relationships that last long after graduation
Great Return on Investment
  • Small class sizes ensure personal, interactive learning
  • Faculty, not graduate students or teaching assistants, teach at all levels
  • Exceptional student life (Close to 300 student organizations) and service learning experiences in world-class learning, living, and research facilities
State-of-the-Art Facilities
  • New academic, research, performance, and athletic facilities provide forums for learning on every level
  • Wireless academic buildings make connecting to email and the Internet easy and convenient
  • Modern living centers are some of the newest in the state
Outstanding Locations
  • Located in West Michigan, a vibrant residential main campus in Allendale and a dynamic urban campus in Grand Rapids putting students closer to employment, internships, and community outreach programs
  • Close to the sandy beaches of Lake Michigan and the cultural opportunities of Grand Rapids
  • The free campus shuttle links students to the entire Grand Rapids transit system