Calvin University is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It enrolls 3,193 students (a mid-sized student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
70/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes83
Value44
Affordability24
Selectivity66
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 70.9%, Calvin University is moderately selective.
Acceptance Rate
70.9%
Moderate
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1083 – 1330
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
24 – 30
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Calvin University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Getting more selective ↓
5.6 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Calvin University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $22,992 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$22,992
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
17%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
33%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$39,350
Room & Board (on-campus)
$12,120
Room & Board (off-campus)
$10,500
Books & Supplies
$1,000
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$2,600
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$2,600
Total Cost of Attendance
$54,222
Application fee: $35 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$19,281
$30,001 – $48,000
$18,330
$48,001 – $75,000
$19,447
$75,001 – $110,000
$21,128
Over $110,000
$26,713
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$5,25010%percentile
$10,00025%percentile
$23,250Medianpercentile
$29,00075%percentile
$31,00090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $22,250
↓ $1,000
No Pell $19,500
↓ $3,750
Dependent students $19,500
↓ $3,750
Independent students $23,000
↓ $250
Female students $20,500
↓ $2,750
Male students $19,500
↓ $3,750
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $9,532, less than completers ($23,250), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
72% of full-time students who enrolled at Calvin University graduate within six years, and 88% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
72%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
88%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
High first-year retention. Students who arrive tend to stay.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Calvin University earn a median of $58,375 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$58,375
Earning > $25K
82%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$40,300
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$58,500
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$45,700
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$45,900
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$50,500
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $18,200, about 31% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
7.6 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 94% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Calvin University is home to 3,193 students, a mid-sized community.
Total Enrolled
3,193
Part-Time
6%
First-Generation
13%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 68.0%2,171
International 14.5%464
Black 5.3%169
Hispanic 4.4%139
Asian 4.1%130
Other 2.7%87
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Calvin University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Midsize CityGrand Rapids, Michigan
Housing
Strongly residential2,445 beds for 3,193 students
Adult Learners
7%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
Designation
Religiously affiliated
What You Can Study
Calvin University offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
74 distinct programs across
22 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Calvin University is 14:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
14:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$477M
Solid financial position
Avg Faculty Salary
$86,501
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
165 instructional faculty across 3 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
98
59%
$96,010
Associate Professors
38
23%
$84,559
Assistant Professors
29
18%
$75,996
Pros & Cons of Calvin University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Calvin University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Reasonable class sizes
Above-average graduation rate
Strong first-year retention
Solid post-graduation earnings
CONS
Above-average net price
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Frequently Asked Questions about Calvin University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Calvin University.
Is Calvin University hard to get into?
Admissions at Calvin University are moderately competitive. The acceptance rate is 70.9%, so most applicants who meet the academic minimums are admitted.
What is the acceptance rate at Calvin University?
Calvin University has an acceptance rate of 70.9%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for Calvin University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Calvin University scored between 1083 and 1330 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for Calvin University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Calvin University scored between 24 and 30 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does Calvin University cost?
The average net price after aid at Calvin University is $22,992 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Calvin University worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $58,375 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $22,992 per year. That's roughly 2.5x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Calvin University known for?
Calvin University is best known for its programs in General Engineering, Nursing, Teacher Education (K-12). These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Calvin University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Calvin University are $58,375, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Calvin University accredited?
Yes. Calvin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend Calvin University?
Calvin University enrolls 3,193 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Calvin University?
Calvin University graduates 72% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Calvin University a public or private college?
Calvin University is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is Calvin University located?
Calvin University is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
What programs does Calvin University offer?
Calvin University offers 74 distinct programs. The most popular include General Engineering, Nursing, Teacher Education (K-12).
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Calvin University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Calvin University is 14:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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