Economic Impact
on West Michigan
Using model provided by W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research
*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
Student Enrollment
- 20,777 Full-time
- 4,272 Part-time
- 25,049 Total
Source of Revenues, 2016-2017
Expenditures, 2016-2017
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.
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.
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.
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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