Calvin University — College Profile

About

Calvin University is a premier Christian liberal arts institution in Grand Rapids, Michigan, renowned for its thoughtful integration of faith and rigorous scholarship across standout programs in engineering, nursing, business, and education. Rooted in the Reformed tradition, Calvin challenges students to engage the world deeply through an intentional core curriculum, a dedicated January Interim term for immersive study, and distinct resources like its 100-acre on-campus Ecosystem Preserve. Campus life offers a vibrant, close-knit community anchored by daily chapel, collaborative residence hall partnerships, and rich cultural and professional opportunities in the broader Grand Rapids area.

Wikipedia:Calvin University is a private Christian university in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1876, Calvin University is an educational institution of the Christian Reformed Church and stands in the Reformed (Calvinist) tradition. Known as Calvin College for most of its history, the school is named after John Calvin, the 16th-century Protestant Reformer.

Location

Grand Rapids, MI, 49546 · City campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

MKE · Milwaukee

117 mi away

Open in Google Maps

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

These figures are federal data and may be out of date.

YoursEveryone

Tuition & fees$39,350

Housing & food (on campus)$12,120

Books & supplies$1,000

Cost of attendance$54,222

Average net price$22,992

Same price for all students

Tuition & fees$39,350

Housing & food (on campus)$12,120

Books & supplies$1,000

Cost of attendance$54,222

Average net price$22,992

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Net price by family income

$0–30k

$19,281

$30–48k

$18,330

$48–75k

$19,447

$75–110k

$21,128

$110k+

$26,713

Your family's actual price → Calvin University net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Grants from the school

100% of first-years get a grant from the school, averaging $25,561

Source: College Navigator (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS)

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

76%

Within 4 yrs

64%

Back for yr 2

87%

Transferred

14%

Pell students: 62.7% · others: 76.8%

8 yrs after starting

78% graduated · 15% transferred · 7% left or unknown · none still enrolled

Earnings

6 yrs after entry$48,039

10 yrs after entry$58,375

Debt

Median at graduation$23,250

Monthly payment$246

Middle 50% owe$10k–$29k

90th percentile$31,000

Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (small programs): 50% graduate within 6 yrs, $48,772 earned 10 yrs after entry.

Admissions

Getting in

Admit rate

71%

Test policy

Test optional

SAT average

1233

R 550–660 · M 533–670

ACT midpoint

Comp 24–30 · E 23–33 · M 23–28

SAT middle 50%: 1083–1330

40080012001600

Admitted students

Admit rate: men 68.8% · women 73.0%

Yield: 21.4% of admitted students enroll

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Essay prompts

If Calvin University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body

Gender

Men 50%Women 50%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

13 : 1

Pell grant

17%

First-gen

13%

Family income

$82,351

Independent

Age at entry

19.0

Part-time

Where first-years come from

In state (MI)

61.6%

Out of state

23.5%

International

14.9%

Most out-of-state first-years from: IL 52 · IN 27 · OH 14 · CA 11 · TX 11

Race & ethnicity

White

68%

Hispanic

Black

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

15%

Unknown

Varsity sports

NCAA Division III with football

Baseball
Men's
Basketball
Men's · Women's
Cross Country
Men's · Women's
Football
Men's
Golf
Men's · Women's
Lacrosse
Men's · Women's
Other Sports
Women's
Soccer
Men's · Women's
Softball
Women's
Swimming and Diving (combined)
Men's · Women's
Tennis
Men's · Women's
Track and Field (Indoor)
Men's · Women's
Track and Field (Outdoor)
Men's · Women's
Volleyball
Men's · Women's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs

After 6 yrs

$48,039

After 10 yrs

$58,375

Engineering, General79

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing66

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods49

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas46

Psychology, General41

Computer Science31

Accounting and Related Services31

Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries30

Marketing30

Biology, General28

Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology28

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness25

Communication Disorders Sciences and Services24

Finance and Financial Management Services24

Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics20

Social Work17

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$286M

Full-time faculty

100%

Faculty salary

$9,559/mo

Teaching spend

$13,491

per student

Federal loans

33%

Classification

Carnegie type

Master's (small programs)

Research activity

Research college or university

$3M research spending

Undergraduate profile