Temple University vs Grand Valley State University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Temple University holds a 4-point ROI advantage over Grand Valley State University, scoring 64/100 versus 60/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Grand Valley State University comes in at $16,317 per year (net price after aid) versus $28,198 at Temple University - a difference of $11,881 annually, or roughly $47,524 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Temple University graduates earn a median of $63,727 compared to $56,118 at Grand Valley State University. The payback period is 8.8 years at Temple University versus 9.7 years at Grand Valley State University.
Graduates leave Temple University with a median $24,395 in debt versus $24,500 at Grand Valley State University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.58 and 0.65 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Temple University | Grand Valley State Univer... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $23,011 | $15,140 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $38,958 | $21,548 |
| Net Price (avg) | $28,198 | $16,317 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $112,792 | $65,268 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $42,200 | $37,700 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $63,727 | $56,118 |
| Graduation Rate | 75.0% | 67.0% |
| Payback Period | 8.8 yr | 9.7 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $24,395 | $24,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $259 | $260 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.58 | 0.65 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 77.1% | 70.8% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 74.8% | 68.1% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 80.4% | 83.0% |
| Enrollment | 20,970 | 18,854 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Temple University | Grand Valley State U... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $22,694 | $12,272 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $23,431 | $11,902 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $26,534 | $12,861 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $29,397 | $16,609 |
| $110,001+ | $34,947 | $22,534 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Temple University | Grand Valley State U... |
|---|---|---|
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $104,311 | $69,603 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $101,670 | $94,330 |
| Electrical Engineering | $97,839 | $100,456 |
| Registered Nursing | $96,342 | $79,188 |
| Mathematics | $91,330 | $51,753 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $91,131 | $90,565 |
| Accounting | $85,777 | $80,153 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $85,011 | $71,348 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $82,570 | $79,324 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | $80,364 | $59,476 |
| International Business | $65,302 | $80,324 |
| Chemistry | $78,052 | $70,611 |
| Entrepreneurship | $60,437 | $77,581 |
| Human Resources Management | $73,127 | $75,800 |
| Business Administration and Management | $75,632 | $61,553 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Temple University | Grand Valley State U... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 56 | 71 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 70 | 63 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 56 | 39 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 85 | 73 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 61 | 42 |
| Overall ROI Score | 64 | 60 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. Temple University edges out Grand Valley State University by 4 points (64 vs 60), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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Temple University
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
Grand Valley State University
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.