SVSU's campus sits in open farmland between Saginaw, Bay City and Midland, in the Great Lakes Bay region of Michigan. It's a public university founded in 1963, with around 7,000 students. Engineering, nursing and business draw the most interest, and Dow's headquarters in Midland is 20 minutes away. Tuition is low for a US public university.
University Center, Michigan, United States
Official website: svsu.edu
Public university in Michigan
1963
Great Lakes Bay, between Saginaw, Bay City and Midland
$12,000 – $20,000
International students, undergraduate and graduate
$10,000 – $13,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on svsu.edu before you apply.
BS Mechanical Engineering
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 71
BS Computer Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 71
BSN Nursing
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
BBA Accounting
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 71
MBA
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
Low tuition for a US public university.
Engineering with close links to Midland's chemical industry.
A compact campus with small classes.
Engineering graduates join Dow, auto suppliers and manufacturers across Michigan.
Nursing graduates work in hospitals in Saginaw, Bay City and Midland.
Business graduates find roles in local banks, healthcare systems and manufacturing firms.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Most students live on campus in the first years. The area around the university is rural, so a car or a friend with one helps.
Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron are close for summer. Winters bring heavy snow. Detroit is about two hours south.
Form I-20 issued by Saginaw Valley State University
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
SVSU reviews international applications on a rolling basis. Apply by early summer for fall and by autumn for winter, so the I-20 and visa can be processed.
The main starts are fall (late August) and winter (January). Nursing admits in fall.
You'll need an F-1 visa. Once you accept your offer and send proof of funding, Saginaw Valley State University issues the Form I-20. After that it's the SEVIS fee, the DS-160 form and an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
Mechanical engineering, computer science, nursing, accounting and the MBA are popular. Undergraduate entry needs a secondary school diploma and IELTS 6.0. The MBA needs a bachelor's degree and IELTS 6.5.
SVSU offers merit scholarships for international students, awarded on academic results at admission. Check the international admissions page for current amounts.
