GVSU’s incoming students reflect expanding access, diverse pathways and growing transfer enrollment

Grand Valley's Fall 2026 enrollment reflects a changing higher education landscape and the many routes today’s students are taking toward a college degree. 

More than 5,300 new undergraduate students joined Grand Valley this fall, including 4,097 first-year students and 1,231 transfer students. Transfer enrollment increased 6.86% from the previous year, rising from 1,152 students in Fall 2025 to 1,231 in Fall 2026. 

Overall university enrollment stands at 21,382 students, a 2.96% decline from the previous year. Within that broader enrollment picture, Grand Valley is seeing momentum, including transfer enrollment, first-generation access, geographic reach and the number of GVSU graduates choosing Grand Valley for advanced degrees. 

“Higher education is changing, and universities must change with it,” said President Philomena V. Mantella. “Today’s learners are taking different paths to a degree, and Grand Valley is responding by expanding pathways, reducing barriers and creating opportunities for students at every stage of their educational journey. Our focus is not simply on who enters Grand Valley, but on helping every learner persist, graduate and translate their education into a lifetime of opportunity.” 

Multiple pathways into Grand Valley

Nearly one in four new undergraduate students entered Grand Valley through the transfer track this fall, demonstrating the growing importance of providing students with multiple routes to a four-year degree. 

“Students are finding their way to Grand Valley through many different ways,” said B. Donta Truss, vice president for Enrollment Development and College Futures. “Some are joining us directly from high school, others are transferring from community colleges and many are the first in their families to attend college. Our strategy is to meet learners where they are, create clear pathways into Grand Valley and provide the support they need to persist, graduate and thrive.” 

In the past 12 months, nearly 6,000 learners upskilled and reskilled through GVSU Omni’s skills-based, non-credit education programs. In addition, some 745 high school students earned GVSU credits through the university’s direct credit program at career technical centers across the state. Neither of these populations are counted as part of GVSU’s overall enrollment.

Expanding access and affordability

One of the strongest indicators of Grand Valley’s reach is the number of incoming students who are the first generation in their families to attend college. 

Grand Valley enrolled 1,952 first-generation, first-time students this fall, up from 1,906 a year ago, even as the overall first-time student cohort was smaller. 

The incoming transfer class adds 544 first-generation students. Together, nearly 2,500 new undergraduate students — approximately 47% of the incoming undergraduate population — are first-generation college students. 

The Fall 2026 incoming class also includes significant numbers of students eligible for federal Pell Grants. Among first-time students, 1,975 are Pell eligible, while another 541 incoming transfer students are Pell eligible. Together, approximately 47% of Grand Valley’s new undergraduate students are Pell eligible. 

“When a student is the first in their family to attend college, that opportunity can extend far beyond the individual student,” Truss said. “Access matters, but access alone is not enough. We must connect students with the academic, financial and community support that helps them successfully navigate college and reach graduation.” 

Prepared to succeed

Access is one part of the Fall 2026 story. Academic preparation is another. 

Nearly three-quarters of Fall 2026 first-time students entered Grand Valley with a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher, and nearly half entered with a GPA between 3.5 and 4.0. 

For Grand Valley, the goal is to connect that preparation with the academic experiences, advising, faculty engagement and support students need to make progress toward a degree. 

“Our work cannot end when a student enrolls,” Truss said. “Enrollment is the beginning of a much larger commitment. Success is ultimately measured by whether students persist, complete their degrees and leave Grand Valley prepared for what comes next.”