Data shows GVSU No. 1 in nation at retaining graduates in state

When it comes to retaining college graduates for the talent pipeline that will propel Michigan forward, regional universities are key drivers — and Grand Valley leads the way by a considerable amount. 

Those are the findings from the Upjohn Institute, a nonpartisan research organization based in Kalamazoo and focused on policy-related issues of employment, which were published August 25 in a Washington Monthly story .

The organization found that for every $100,000 spent in state appropriations, GVSU retains nearly five graduates, far outpacing the next Michigan public university and tops in the nation.

For comparison, Washington Monthly reported on another Upjohn study that detailed governments provide nearly $200,000 in tax incentives to corporations just to create one average-paying job.

The same Upjohn study found that Grand Valley produced more than six graduates for the same $100,000 investment from the state, also leading Michigan's public universities in that category.

This comes against a backdrop of GVSU historically receiving among the lowest per-student funding of any school in the state, while steadily growing enrollment and maintaining a graduation rate that is among the best of all public universities.

Washington Monthly Editor in Chief Paul Glastris observed: “Politicians are fooling themselves if they think corporate subsidies can substitute for the steady support of regional universities — such as Grand Valley State — which, dollar for dollar, offer the best hope for broad prosperity in the 21st century and beyond.”

Participation in internships and GVSU’s experiential learning opportunities, like the Laker Accelerated Talent Link, play a key role in planting a foundation for students to remain in the region and state. Seventy-five percent of GVSU students participate in an internship, apprenticeship or an experiential learning opportunity. 

In a 2023 survey of GVSU graduates, 86 percent live and work in Michigan, 76 percent of them in West Michigan.

— Senior Writer Brian Vernellis contributed to this story.