Last month, Grand Valley State University welcomed a new class for the fall semester and it’s the second largest in the school’s history.
There are 22,035 current students at GVSU, which is a 1% overall increase and 4% increase in freshmen from 2024. There is also a 1.4% increase in retention, according to the publication GVNext. The new student body is the most diverse yet, with an increase in the amount of students that identify minority groups. In the freshman class, there was a 6% increase in students of color compared to last year.
“Grand Valley State University is deeply committed to supporting all students and creating a vibrant and inclusive campus community that reflects the diverse world we live in,” said Robert Shorty, vice president of the Division of People, Equity and Culture.
1,900 students are the first to attend college in their families, which is an 11% increase over past year. Once at GVSU, students have access to resources within the Division of Student Affairs, Division of Enrollment Development and College Futures, and Division of People, Equity and Culture. Shorty believes the choice of first-generation students to enroll in higher education will pay off.
“This commitment has led to remarkable trends in our freshman class, which has become one of our largest and most diverse in recent history,” Shorty said.
GVSU embodies enrolled students from nearly every county in Michigan, and has seen significant increases in Southeast and West Michigan. Enrollment grew by more than 9% from Wayne county, 4% from Kent County and 7% from Muskegon County. GVSU also welcomed 1,589 students from outside of Michigan.
“GVSU is being recognized throughout Michigan as a place where quality, value and community come together to create empowered experiences for our students as they turn dreams into reality,” said B. Donta Truss, vice president for Enrollment Development and Educational Outreach.
Despite a 15% decrease in international students, the University has still embraced 579 students from more than 45 countries. This statistic is in line with national analyses, which have raised concern regarding the role international students play in regard to university finances and the overall U.S. economy.
GVSU has also various programs that aim to make higher education more accessible to, including Grand Valley Pledge, which provides tuition-free education to qualifying students. In terms of graduate-level education, the University is continuing to bolster programs and courses, as 2,580 students are pursuing a masters degree and 301 students are studying for a doctoral degree.
