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Grand Valley State University

Middle 50% SAT
920
to
1170
Acceptance
92.7% (fall 2025, 27,261 applicants)
Typical GPA

Admissions data checked October 9, 2026 by Florida Test Prep.

Grand Valley State University reports a middle 50% SAT of 920 to 1170 (enrolled, fall 2025). We use 1040 as a first planning target, then adjust it to the student's diagnostic and timeline. It is not an admission requirement or a guarantee.

The numbers

Middle 50% SAT920 to 1170 (enrolled, fall 2025)
Middle 50% ACT21 to 30
Acceptance rate92.7% (fall 2025, 27,261 applicants)
Testing for 2026-27Test optional
TypePublic university

Source: Grand Valley official admissions data. A middle 50% describes the central half of the reported group, not a cutoff.

Grand Valley admitted the largest class by raw applicant volume of any school on this list outside the two flagships.

Where Grand Valley sits among Michigan colleges

SchoolMiddle 50% SATAcceptance
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor1360 to 153015.6%
Hillsdale College1340 to 147019%
Kalamazoo College1200 to 1370Not reported
Michigan Technological University1120 to 133085.5%
Michigan State University1100 to 131083.2%
Wayne State University1060 to 129083.6%
Central Michigan University970 to 121091.0%
Western Michigan University960 to 120085.3%
Grand Valley State University920 to 117092.7%
Oakland University900 to 115046.8%

Cohorts differ by school (admitted vs enrolled, and year). See every school with its cohort and source on SAT Scores for Michigan Colleges.

Scholarship money tied to the SAT in Michigan

Michigan's old SAT-cutoff award, the Michigan Competitive Scholarship (1200+ SAT), no longer covers students graduating in 2023 or later; its state replacement is need-based with no test-score requirement, so score-tied money in Michigan now comes mainly from university automatic-merit grids like Central Michigan's.

CMU Maroon and Gold Merit Scholarship (SAT 1200-1390 / ACT 25-31 tier): $6,000 per year with a 3.6-3.79 high school GPA, renewable with a 3.0 cumulative CMU GPA.

CMU Maroon and Gold Merit Scholarship (SAT 1400-1600 / ACT 32-36 tier): $8,250 per year with a 3.95-4.0 high school GPA, the richest automatic tier on the grid.

The full rules, deadlines and class years are on our Michigan SAT prep page.

Colleges in other states with a similar SAT range

CollegeStateMiddle 50% SAT
University of New MexicoNew Mexico920 to 1170
University of the OzarksArkansas910 to 1180
Keene State CollegeNew Hampshire860 to 1240
Marshall UniversityWest Virginia940 to 1140

A score that is competitive at Grand Valley lands in the same part of the range at these schools. Cohorts differ by school, so read each page's notes before comparing.

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Quick answers

What SAT score do you need for Grand Valley?

There is no published minimum; the middle half of the reported group scored 920 to 1170. A score at or above 1170 puts a student in the top quarter of that group. A score near 920 is within the range, and grades, coursework and the rest of the application still decide the outcome.

Is Grand Valley test-optional?

Yes. Grand Valley lists its policy as: Test optional. A score inside or above the range can still strengthen an application, and some scholarships and programs use scores separately.

What is Grand Valley's acceptance rate?

92.7% (fall 2025, 27,261 applicants). Rates vary by program and residency, so read the overall figure as context, not a personal prediction.

Does a score above the range guarantee admission?

No. A middle 50% is a description of last year's group, not a cutoff in either direction. It tells you where a score is competitive, which is the useful part for planning test dates.

Want to know what your teen needs for Grand Valley? Their target, their gap and the weeks to close it are what we map in the free Strategy Session.

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