
Grand Rapids, MIprivate nonprofitwww.davenport.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 82%–99% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Davenport University is a career-focused institution in Grand Rapids, MI, with an open admissions policy (98% acceptance rate) and a pragmatic approach to education. Known for its business, technology, and health programs, Davenport emphasizes hands-on learning and boasts a 96% positive career outcome rate for graduates—though its 50% graduation rate suggests mixed student persistence. With a lively campus life and $33M+ in annual scholarships, it caters to students seeking direct pathways to employment.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Outcomes & value
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Davenport University is among the least selective institutions in the U.S., with a 98% acceptance rate (4,296 admitted from 4,391 applicants in 2024). The university employs rolling admissions, with no strict deadline for most programs. Test scores are optional for many applicants, with admitted students typically posting SAT scores between 928–1140 (per College Board data). The admissions team emphasizes accessibility, encouraging prospective students to call or email directly for support. Notably, Davenport accepts early admission candidates who haven’t yet completed high school, reflecting its flexible, non-traditional approach.
Davenport offers 120+ degree and certificate programs, heavily skewed toward career-ready fields like business (a standout), technology, health professions, and urban education. The curriculum is hands-on, with a (per Facebook community reports) and a focus on practical skills. However, critiques on Reddit highlight its narrow scope: The (below national averages), and the , signaling challenges in student persistence. Programs are available online and in-person, catering to working adults.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Campus life revolves around 75+ clubs and organizations, with a strong emphasis on athletics (Davenport ranks among the NCAA’s top 10 Division II schools for student-athlete academic performance). Traditions like Homecoming and Campus Cleanup Day foster community, while events range from career fairs to themed study nights. The gender split skews slightly female (55.8%), and the total undergraduate enrollment is modest (3,833 in fall 2023). Housing options and volunteer opportunities are actively promoted, though some students describe the social scene as 'decent but not overwhelming.'
Davenport’s 96% positive career outcome rate (employed or continuing education within six months) is its crown jewel, though the 50% graduation rate reveals attrition issues. Alumni earnings vary by program, with business and health graduates faring best. The NCAA highlights Davenport’s 96% academic success rate for athletes, a notable bright spot. However, only 41% of Pell Grant recipients graduate within six years, pointing to equity gaps. The university leans hard into its employment stats, with career services heavily integrated into the student experience.
Tuition sits at $19,799 after aid (98.96% of students receive assistance), with Davenport awarding $33M+ annually in scholarships. The average aid package is $27,025, though Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculators suggest costs can dip to $18,350 for some students. Merit- and need-based scholarships are plentiful, and the university emphasizes aid that 'you don’t need to pay back.' That said, Reddit threads warn of 'exorbitant' tuition for certain programs, urging prospective students to scrutinize ROI.
Davenport’s hyper-focus on employability sets it apart—its 96% career outcome rate rivals far more selective schools. The open admissions policy and rolling deadlines make it accessible, while NCAA accolades and a tight-knit campus community add texture. But it’s not for everyone: low graduation rates and a narrow academic scope (heavy on business/tech, light on liberal arts) reflect its trade-school DNA. Ideal for career switchers and pragmatic students, Davenport delivers job-ready skills but lacks the breadth of a traditional university.