Grand View University Unveils “Go Private. Pay Public.” Program to Make Private College as Affordable as Publics

November 11, 2024

Grand View University is making higher education more accessible than ever for Iowa students with the launch of its innovative Public Price Program. This new initiative allows Iowa students to attend Grand View and enjoy the benefits of a small, private college education—such as smaller classes, close-knit communities, and strong faculty relationships—at a cost comparable to Iowa’s large public universities.

Go Private. Pay Public is designed to remove financial barriers and make a Grand View education a viable option for more students. As part of the program, the out-of-pocket cost for tuition for qualifying Iowa seniors will not exceed $11,000 after applying federal and state grants and Grand View scholarships. The average tuition for Iowa's three public universities is $11,000, which means many students will pay even less for their education at Grand View.

“We believe that cost shouldn’t prevent students from choosing the school that is the best fit for them,” said Dr. Rachelle Keck, President at Grand View University. “Our new Public Price Program ensures that every Iowa student, no matter their financial situation, has access to the personalized, high-quality education we offer.”

For Iowa students enrolling at Grand View in Fall 2025, the following eligibility requirements apply:

  • Enroll as a first-year student
  • Graduate from any Iowa high school
  • File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by June 30, 2025
  • Maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher
  • Live on campus

“Grand View’s new Go Private, Pay Public and GV Next programs will undoubtedly have a profound and positive effect on DMPS students and their ability to choose a University that is right for them. Students will benefit from Grand View’s small class sizes, personal attention, market-relevant curricular and co-curricular programs, and its location in Des Moines. We are grateful for our strong partnership, and I look forward to seeing more DMPS students achieve their goal of a college education at Grand View University.”  – Dr. Ian Roberts, Superintendent, Des Moines Public Schools

In addition to the Public Price Program, Grand View also offers GV Next, a program for students with the greatest financial need. Through GV Next, eligible Iowa students can attend Grand View tuition-free. The program is designed for students who qualify for the maximum Federal Pell Grant or have a parent with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $70,000 or less. To further support students’ financial needs, GV Next allows students to live off-campus, with no requirement to reside on campus. Students can live with a qualifying relative or at home, as long as they are within 30 miles of the Grand View campus.