Hello Chicago Students!
Welcome to Grand Valley State University
Have you considered GVSU?
Here is why you should...
Grand Valley is just three hours from Chicago, with campuses in and around Grand Rapids, Michigan. It’s a short trip to a place that combines West Michigan kindness with the wealth of opportunity that is Michigan's 2nd largest city.
GVSU is an affordable option for Chicago students. With scholarships and competitive non-resident tuition, we make it easy to invest in your future without breaking the bank.
Grand Valley is a big university with a small school feel. Your professors will know you by name, and your education will go well beyond the classroom. You’ll find in-demand degrees, hands-on learning, and vibrant campuses that are warm, energetic, and filled with student life. From living centers that are among the most modern in the state, to professors who invest in your success, Grand Valley is a place where you can thrive.
Explore GVSU and find out why Chicago students are choosing us to help them turn their What If into What Is.
Grand Valley has some of the most modern housing options in Michigan.
94% of GVSU graduates are employed. 44% of those who graduated in 4 years or fewer had no debt.
GVSU is a
Smart Investment
With one of the lowest tuition rates among Michigan’s public universities, GVSU offers total annual costs that are lower than many academically comparable schools in Illinois. Chicago residents automatically receive the GVSU Out-of-State Scholarship, worth $6,000, and there are even more scholarship opportunities available on our Financial Aid and Scholarships page.
Plus Grand Valley makes it even easier to plan ahead for graduate school. Tuition for all graduate programs is the same for in-state and out-of-state students, giving you more value and flexibility as you take the next step in your education.
We're Closer
Than You Think
Grand Valley is close to Chicago -- less than 3 hours by car and 20 minutes from an Amtrak depot. The Valley Campus is 30 minutes from Lake Michigan and lies just 13 miles from downtown Grand Rapids.
In fact, LinkedIn ranked Grand Rapids as the #1 fastest-growing U.S. metros for jobs and new talent in 2025.
Plan your visit and experience Grand Valley first-hand. Our friendly guides are ready to welcome you, and our interactive campus map makes it easy to explore before you arrive.
Grand Valley's Health Campus on Grand Rapids' Medical Mile.
From Wondering What's Possible
to Equipped for Anything
At Grand Valley State University, you're part of a community where you are seen and supported. With more than 300 programs, dynamic campuses, and over 22,000 students, GVSU offers the resources of a large university while keeping class sizes small and support systems strong.
You will have direct access to dedicated faculty, state-of-the-art academic spaces, one-on-one peer tutoring, and a campus culture built around connection, creativity, and opportunity. From community-focused housing to a vibrant student life, your college experience at Grand Valley will be both personal and powerful.
Discover how Grand Valley can help you be equipped for anything.
The halls of Grand Valley's L. William Seidman Center in downtown Grand Rapids.
From Valley to City
Grand Valley State University offers two distinct campus experiences to enrich your academic journey. The Valley Campus in Allendale serves as the university’s academic, residential, and social hub, providing a vibrant college atmosphere with abundant resources and support. Meanwhile, the City Campus, located in downtown Grand Rapids (Michigan’s second-largest city) includes the Robert C. Pew and Health campuses, and hosts many professional programs such as business, engineering, and health care. All campuses are connected by the Laker Line, which is a free bus system for GVSU students.
Valley Campus
City Campus - Health
City Campus - Pew
Explore GVSU with our VR compatible virtual tours!
Take a VR compatible virtual tour of the Valley Campus in Allendale.
Take a VR compatible virtual tour of the City Campus in Grand Rapids.