GVSU announces another record-breaking enrollment for fall

More students have enrolled in Grand Valley State University than ever before. Records are broken in total enrollment, first-year students, minority students and those living on campus.

Total enrollment is 25,460, up from last year's enrollment of 25,325, with 4,380 being first-time students. 

A record number of students of color are enrolled, 4,315 (16.9%) up from 4,136 last year, and a record number of students are living on campus, 6,241.

"The numbers tell a story of commitment to excellence and opportunity at Grand Valley, in accordance with our strategic plan," said President Thomas J. Haas. "We have faculty committed to offering the finest academic programs, and we have staff committed to streamlining access to classes, support and extracurricular activities. We not only attract them to campus, but we put processes and programs in place to give students every opportunity to graduate on time and with relevant degrees. We're thrilled with the start to this academic year."

Students are coming from every county in Michigan, and more than 400 international students are enrolled. Retention is up for freshman students who began last fall, and also for students who transferred to Grand Valley from community colleges. Student success is the goal behind academic advising tools and counseling staff who pay close attention to student progress. The university motivates students to graduate in four years with the Grand Finish grant, which awards a $1,000 scholarship at the start of the fourth year to students with at least 90 credits.

"Helping students reach their potential and graduate is a guiding principle for Grand Valley's administration and board," said John C. Kennedy, chair of the Board of Trustees. "University officers and the board work closely together to optimize performance while controlling costs. We understand the pressures on families paying tuition, and we're pleased our strategy of balancing educational quality with fiscal responsibility is recognized by students and the state. Our proof of performance has been noted by state lawmakers and donors who continue to support Grand Valley. Employers also recognize the value of Grand Valley graduates who enter the workforce ready to perform."

On the heels of last year's graduating class of more than 5,500, Grand Valley continues to be a talent engine for the region with 85 percent of graduates staying in Michigan to start their careers. Of all recent graduates, 94 percent are employed or attending graduate school.

Grand Valley colleges showing significant growth are business (5.6 percent), engineering (6.1 percent) and interdisciplinary and honors (10.6 percent).

Grand Valley is in the top three for graduation rates of all public universities in Michigan and is in the top four for retention. The university has been chosen as a "Best Value" and "Best Public Regional University" by U.S. News and World Report. The Princeton Review named Grand Valley among the "Best in the Midwest," and for 20 years, the university has been named one of "America's 100 Best College Buys" by Institutional Research and Evaluation.

For more details on Grand Valley's performance, visit www.gvsu.edu/accountability.