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Grand Valley State University
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Description
Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is a comprehensive, four-year public university located in Michigan, with its main campus in Allendale and additional campuses in Grand Rapids. Founded in 1960, Grand Valley has grown into one of Michigan’s largest and most respected public universities, serving more than 22,000 students and offering over 350 academic programs at the certificate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.
Grand Valley’s mission is to empower learners in their pursuits, professions, and purpose. The university enriches society through excellent teaching, active scholarship, advancement of equity, and public service. Through personalized learning enhanced by active scholarship, GVSU prepares globally minded citizens for the future they face and the communities they shape.
Accreditation and Recognition
Grand Valley is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the same regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Additionally, many of GVSU’s individual programs hold specialized accreditations, including AACSB (business), CCNE (nursing), CAEP (education), ABET (engineering and computing), CSWE (social work), and many others. This means credits and degrees earned at Grand Valley are widely recognized and respected by employers and graduate programs nationwide.
Grand Valley was named a Best National University, a Top Public School, and Best for Social Mobility by U.S. News & World Report (2026). The university has also earned the 2026 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement and has been recognized by Military Times as one of the “Best for Vets” colleges, ranked #11 overall in the nation.
Academic Programs Relevant to Lourdes Students
Grand Valley offers strong programs in many of the same fields that Lourdes students are currently pursuing, including nursing, business administration, criminal justice, education, social work, biology, psychology, and the liberal arts. GVSU’s eight degree-granting colleges include the Kirkhof College of Nursing, the Seidman College of Business, the College of Education and Community Innovation, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Health Professions, the Padnos College of Engineering, the College of Computing, and the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies.
GVSU is committed to working closely with Lourdes University to evaluate transfer credits on a student-by-student basis, with the goal of maximizing credit transfer and minimizing any disruption to students’ academic progress. Our dedicated admissions and advising teams will provide personalized support to each transferring student to identify the best pathway to degree completion.
The Grand Valley Student Experience
Grand Valley is known for combining the opportunities of a large university with the personalized attention of a smaller institution. With an average class size of 26 students, GVSU students benefit from close relationships with faculty who are committed to teaching and mentorship. The university offers extensive support services, including academic advising, tutoring, career counseling, mental health resources, and a dedicated Writing Center.
With 94% of graduates employed or continuing their education, Grand Valley has a proven track record of preparing students for professional success. The university’s campuses are situated in the heart of West Michigan’s thriving economy, with strong partnerships with regional employers such as Corewell Health, Deloitte, Meijer, and SpartanNash, providing students with robust internship and career opportunities.
Affordability and Financial Aid
Grand Valley is recognized as one of the most affordable public universities in Michigan. GVSU offers a range of scholarships, grants, and financial aid options to help make a high-quality education accessible. The GV Pledge program provides free tuition for qualifying students with limited family assets. Transfer students are eligible for dedicated scholarship opportunities, and our financial aid office will work individually with each Lourdes student to ensure a smooth transition of financial aid.
Key Facts at a Glance
Founded: 1960
Location: Allendale and Grand Rapids, Michigan (with regional centers across the state)
Total Enrollment: 22,035 students
Programs Offered: Over 350 programs at the certificate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC) — regionally accredited
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: Approximately 15:1
Alumni Network: 148,109+ alumni
Graduate Employment Rate: 94% of graduates employed or continuing education
Athletics: NCAA Division II — 32 national titles; perennial Directors’ Cup contender
Website: www.gvsu.edu
Next Steps for Lourdes Students
Grand Valley State University welcomes Lourdes University students and is committed to making your transition as seamless as possible. To learn more about transferring to GVSU, evaluating your credits, or exploring financial aid options, please visit www.gvsu.edu/admissions or contact our Transfer Admissions team directly. We look forward to welcoming you to the Laker community.
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We understand this is a difficult time for your family, and we want you to know that Grand Valley State University is here to help. Below is a brief overview of what GVSU offers and how we plan to support your student’s transition.
Who We Are
Grand Valley State University is a nationally recognized, four-year public university in Michigan with campuses in Allendale and Grand Rapids. Founded in 1960, GVSU serves more than 22,000 students and offers over 350 academic programs. We are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and U.S. News & World Report has named us a Best National University, a Top Public School, and Best for Social Mobility (2026).
What This Means for Your Student
• GVSU offers programs in nursing, business, criminal justice, education, social work, biology, and many other fields that align with Lourdes’s academic offerings.
• We will evaluate each student’s transcript individually with the goal of transferring the maximum number of credits possible.
• Dedicated transfer admissions counselors will provide one-on-one guidance to map the most efficient path to degree completion.
• Our Kirkhof College of Nursing, Seidman College of Business, and College of Education hold the same types of specialized accreditations employers expect.
Cost and Financial Aid
• Grand Valley is one of the most affordable public universities in Michigan.
• Transfer students are eligible for dedicated scholarship opportunities.
• The GV Pledge provides free tuition for students with limited family assets.
• Our financial aid office will work with each student individually to ensure a smooth transition of aid, grants, and loans.
Student Success and Support
• 94% of GVSU graduates are employed or continuing their education.
• Average class size of 26 students, so your student won’t get lost in the crowd.
• Free tutoring, academic advising, career counseling, and mental health services are available to every student.
• Our campuses are in the heart of West Michigan’s job market, with internship and career pipelines to employers like Corewell Health, Deloitte, Meijer, and SpartanNash.
• GVSU maintains a full campus police department and comprehensive safety resources.
Campus Life
• Over 400 student organizations, clubs, and intramural sports.
• 6,012 on-campus beds with a variety of housing options.
• NCAA Division II athletics — 32 national championships and a perennial Directors’ Cup contender.
• A welcoming, community-focused environment where students consistently describe the campus culture as open and supportive.
Next Steps
We encourage you and your student to reach out so we can begin planning a personalized transfer pathway. Here’s how to connect with us:
Admissions Website: www.gvsu.edu/admissions
Transfer Information: www.gvsu.edu/admissions (select “Transfer Students”)
Financial Aid: www.gvsu.edu/financialaid
Campus Visits: www.gvsu.edu/planavisit
General Inquiries: (616) 331-2025
Grand Valley State University is committed to ensuring that no Lourdes student’s academic journey is interrupted. We look forward to welcoming your family to the Laker community.
Who We Are
Grand Valley State University is a nationally recognized, four-year public university in Michigan with campuses in Allendale and Grand Rapids. Founded in 1960, GVSU serves more than 22,000 students and offers over 350 academic programs. We are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and U.S. News & World Report has named us a Best National University, a Top Public School, and Best for Social Mobility (2026).
What This Means for Your Student
• GVSU offers programs in nursing, business, criminal justice, education, social work, biology, and many other fields that align with Lourdes’s academic offerings.
• We will evaluate each student’s transcript individually with the goal of transferring the maximum number of credits possible.
• Dedicated transfer admissions counselors will provide one-on-one guidance to map the most efficient path to degree completion.
• Our Kirkhof College of Nursing, Seidman College of Business, and College of Education hold the same types of specialized accreditations employers expect.
Cost and Financial Aid
• Grand Valley is one of the most affordable public universities in Michigan.
• Transfer students are eligible for dedicated scholarship opportunities.
• The GV Pledge provides free tuition for students with limited family assets.
• Our financial aid office will work with each student individually to ensure a smooth transition of aid, grants, and loans.
Student Success and Support
• 94% of GVSU graduates are employed or continuing their education.
• Average class size of 26 students, so your student won’t get lost in the crowd.
• Free tutoring, academic advising, career counseling, and mental health services are available to every student.
• Our campuses are in the heart of West Michigan’s job market, with internship and career pipelines to employers like Corewell Health, Deloitte, Meijer, and SpartanNash.
• GVSU maintains a full campus police department and comprehensive safety resources.
Campus Life
• Over 400 student organizations, clubs, and intramural sports.
• 6,012 on-campus beds with a variety of housing options.
• NCAA Division II athletics — 32 national championships and a perennial Directors’ Cup contender.
• A welcoming, community-focused environment where students consistently describe the campus culture as open and supportive.
Next Steps
We encourage you and your student to reach out so we can begin planning a personalized transfer pathway. Here’s how to connect with us:
Admissions Website: www.gvsu.edu/admissions
Transfer Information: www.gvsu.edu/admissions (select “Transfer Students”)
Financial Aid: www.gvsu.edu/financialaid
Campus Visits: www.gvsu.edu/planavisit
General Inquiries: (616) 331-2025
Grand Valley State University is committed to ensuring that no Lourdes student’s academic journey is interrupted. We look forward to welcoming your family to the Laker community.
Location
Grand Valley State University - Allendale, Bend Drive, Georgetown Charter Township, Ottawa County, Michigan, 49428, United States
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