Economic Impact

on West Michigan

Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon counties (Greater Grand Rapids-Holland-Muskegon Region)
Using model provided by W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research
$849 million
Total Sales in the Region*
11,970
Total Estimated Employment Attributed to GVSU

*Total Sales in the Region represents increase in sales for all business in the three metropolitan areas due to the existence of Grand Valley State University.

Faculty and Staff Employment

  • 2,552 Full-time
  • 1,066 Part-time
  • 3,618 Total
$262.4 million
Total Faculty and Staff Salary in the Area

Student Enrollment

  • 20,777 Full-time
  • 4,272 Part-time
  • 25,049 Total
$202.8 million
Total Estimated Student Expenditures in the Area

Source of Revenues, 2016-2017

Expenditures, 2016-2017

Return On Investment

A Great Return On Investment

More than 25,000 Grand Valley students are receiving a liberal education foundation that emphasizes critical thinking skills and gives them a broad base of knowledge that they take into their careers and their communities.

Grand Valley has a record of producing high-quality graduates who stay in Michigan and give back to their communities.

  • 93 percent of recent graduates are employed or pursuing advanced degrees;
  • Of those working, 86 percent are employed in Michigan.

The expertise of alumni in Michigan meets the needs of employers across the state.

There are more than 117,000 Grand Valley alumni, and nearly half are living or working in West Michigan’s tri-county area.

  • 20,690 in business and public administration;
  • 14,558 degrees and certifications in teaching and school administration;
  • 12,301 in nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and physician assistant and related health care fields.
Strengthening Michigan's Success

Grand Valley State University: Strengthening Michigan's Success

State lawmakers use a higher education funding plan that ties a small portion of state support to performance. Each year the metrics have been used, Grand Valley has proven to be a top performer in key areas, including retention, graduation rates, and providing access to students who otherwise could not afford a college education.

Grand Valley's Growth Benefits Region

New construction and renovations pumped more than $109 million into the local economy in 2017, creating 2,295 trade and construction jobs. Grand Valley is expanding its health campus in Grand Rapids with the opening of Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall and construction of a new $70 million health building on Medical Mile, set to open in 2021.

Tuition Remains Below State Average

Grand Valley has been recognized as one of “America’s 100 Best College Buys” for 22 years in a row because of low tuition and high value.

  • The university offered $265 million in financial aid;
  • An average student pays $4,500 less than the posted tuition price.
Alumni Impact

Lakers are Leaders

Grand Valley alumni are decision makers and leaders. Although they live throughout the U.S. and the world, their impact is greatest in Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon counties.

The Top Area Employers of Grand Valley Alumni:

  • Amway
  • Deloitte LLC
  • Flat Chrysler Automobiles
  • General Motors
  • Gentex Corp.
  • Grand Rapids Public Schools
  • Herman Miller Inc.
  • Hope Network
  • Kellogg Company
  • Meijer Inc.
  • Mercy Health
  • Quicken Loans
  • Spectrum Health
  • State of Michigan
  • Steelcase Inc

Higher education continues to be a public good. Grand Valley changes lives and its graduates change communities.

Image of Brian Parks

Brian Parks, '08, '14, interacts with people around the world as a program cost management analyst for General Motors.

Contact Grand Valley

(616) 331-5000 - Grand Valley Switchboard (all campuses)

Main Campus

1 Campus Drive
Allendale, MI 49401

Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus

Richard M. DeVos Center
401 Fulton Street West
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

L.V. Eberhard Center
Keller Engineering Labs
Kennedy Hall of Engineering
301 Fulton Street West
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences
301 Michigan Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

L. William Seidman Center
50 Front Avenue SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Meijer Campus in Holland

515 S. Waverly Road
Holland, MI 49423

Regional Locations

Muskegon Regional Center
Stevenson Center for Higher Education at Muskegon Community College
221 S. Quarterline Road
Muskegon, MI 49442

Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute (AWRI)
Lake Michigan Center
740 W. Shoreline Drive
Muskegon, MI 49441

Muskegon Innovation Hub
200 Viridian Drive
Muskegon, MI 49441

Traverse City Regional Center
Northwestern Michigan College University Center
2200 Dendrinos Drive
Traverse City, MI 49684

Detroit Center
163 Madison Street
Detroit, MI 48226

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