Grand Lakes by the Numbers
Academics
Find Your Program at GLU
With 120+ degree programs across 8 colleges, Grand Lakes offers the breadth of a major research university with the feel of a close-knit community.
Research & Discovery
Pushing the Boundaries of Human Knowledge
Grand Lakes University is home to 42 research centers and institutes, with particular strengths in environmental science, engineering innovation, and public health. Our students work alongside leading faculty on research that changes lives.
Student Stories
Hear From Our Students
“The research opportunities here are unlike anything I expected. By my sophomore year I was co-authoring a paper on Great Lakes water quality with my faculty mentor.”
Our History
A Legacy of Excellence
University Founded
Grand Lakes University was established by the Michigan Legislature as the state's flagship public research institution, welcoming its first class of 212 students to the shores of the Great Lakes.
Great Lakes Research Institute
GLU founded the Great Lakes Research Institute, launching a century of landmark environmental science. The institute's early studies of lake ecology set federal water-quality standards still in use today.
College of Engineering Opens
Responding to the postwar technology boom, GLU opened its College of Engineering with support from Michigan's auto industry. Within a decade it ranked among the top ten public engineering programs nationally.
Integration & Expansion
Following a landmark diversity initiative, GLU's student body doubled in a decade. The university expanded its scholarship programs and opened five new residence halls to welcome students from across the country.
$1 Billion Research Milestone
GLU became the first Michigan university to surpass $1 billion in annual research expenditures, cementing its place among the top tier of American research institutions.
Today
With 15,000 undergraduates, 120+ degree programs, and $450M in annual research funding, Grand Lakes University continues to shape the future of science, business, and public service.
Tomorrow
We're investing in tomorrow's landscape and our new school of AI management breaks ground December 2026. This exciting new school will offer undergraduate and graduate programs in the exploding field of AI management.
Ready to Start Your Grand Lakes Journey?
Applications for Fall 2026 are open. Early Action deadline: November 1. Regular Decision deadline: January 15.