Community and Engagement

At Grand View University, students are immersed in a way of growing, discovering, and learning that is called the Viking Experience. It's not so much a program as it is a way of life that unites students with the campus community and prepares them for their lives ahead. It's a web of people, services, and opportunities that characterize the unique college experience students have at Grand View. With challenging academics, encouraging professors, championship athletics, and experiential opportunities, students establish their interests, reach their goals, and carve their niches in the world.

Grand View appreciates and respects the dignity and worth of each individual, honoring a community of open interaction, personal integrity, active intellectual engagement, and academic honesty among students, faculty members, and staff members. Grand View embraces students from all backgrounds and traditions.

Des Moines: Opportunities for Internships and Experience

With a metro population of more than half a million, Des Moines offers opportunities and activities for everyone. The city's many cultural attractions, sporting events, and downtown nightlife -- in addition to an array of campus activities -- provides students with a well-rounded life outside of the classroom.

The opportunities in Des Moines go beyond mere diversions. As the capital city of Iowa, Des Moines is a center of government, business, research and finance. Many nationally recognized companies call Des Moines home, including Meredith Publishing, Corteva Agriscience, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, and Principal Financial. In fact, Des Moines has been ranked #4 Best Mid-Sized City for Making a Living and also ranked in the Top 10 Hippest Mid-Sized Cities in America, among many other accolades. The city provides students with a great place for internships and job opportunities! 

The result is that the majority of Grand View University students have challenging internships, graduate with significant experience and are prepared for successful careers. For almost two decades, nearly 100 percent of Grand View graduates -- each year -- have secured jobs or gone on to graduate school within six months of graduation.

A Wide Range of Academics for a Diverse Student Body

With Grand View's 40 undergraduate majors and 10 pre-professional programs, students find the majors that are right for them. For more than a century, Grand View's strength has been its faculty -- their commitment to academic challenge supported by the close relationships they establish with students. This faculty commitment, combined with a rigorous curriculum and practical experience, creates a quality academic grounding that serves Grand View alumni well.

Although the largest concentrations are in business administration, nursing, biology, kinesiology and education, the smaller programs have outstanding reputations as well. For example, Grand View's communication graduates win awards across the Midwest, and pre-professional students consistently gain acceptance to graduate and professional schools. Grand View University also offers five master's degree programs: Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, Master of Education, Master of Science in Athletic Training, Master of Science in Sport Management and Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, as well as accelerated online and  evening majors for nontraditional students.

Vibrant Student Life and Championship Athletics

Grand View is a member of the Heart of America Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Twenty-six men's and women's varsity sports teams compete at the national level, with athletic scholarships available to qualified student athletes. Viking teams consistently excel in their conferences and nationally, winning not only championships but also All-American Scholar-Athlete honors. GV wrestling has won nine NAIA national championships and men’s golf, men’s volleyball, football and shooting sports have also won national championships in recent years.

Student life is an important part of any college experience. Grand View University has more than 40 clubs and student organizations that help students connect outside of the classroom. Among the opportunities available are an active student government, leadership program, campus ministry, choir and wind ensemble, academic clubs, an Esports team, honor societies, Diversity Alliance, as well as opportunities to study abroad.

An Unparalleled Value

With affordable tuition and generous financial aid, Grand View University is one of the best educational values in the Midwest. In 2019-20, more than 99% of full-time students received financial assistance. The average financial aid package for first-year students exceeds $29,100, with more than $21,190 in scholarships and grants. Grand also does college financing differently with GV COMPLETE, With the help of a Completion Coach, students develop a four-year financial plan and a four-year academic plan before they even start classes. Students who stay on their plans will reduce costs because increases in tuition, room and board are capped, they minimize borrowing and are more likely to graduate on time.

Year over year, Grand View outscores its peers on the National Survey of Student Engagement for presenting an academic challenge and outscores similar institutions nationwide in measures of effective teaching. A challenging curriculum coupled with first-class teaching leads to the high-level skills that land jobs for Grand View grads.