Calvin University (Calvin)
Private nonprofit four-year university in Grand Rapids, MI that costs an average of $21,122 a year after financial aid, admits 71% of applicants and graduates 77% of full-time students.
Private nonprofitMidsize city3,193 undergraduates
Cost of Calvin
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $54,389 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $40,500 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $12,600 |
| Books and supplies | $1,000 |
| Average net price after aid | $21,122 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $15,829 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $15,960 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $14,984 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $18,564 |
| $110,001+ | $25,383 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with Calvin's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 71% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 1,233 |
| SAT reading (25th–75th percentile) | 550–660 |
| SAT math (25th–75th percentile) | 533–670 |
| ACT composite (25th–75th percentile) | 24–30 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 77% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 87% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $51,781 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $60,411 |
| Rank in Michigan (earnings) | 18th of 43 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $19,500 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $222 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 22% |
| Students with federal loans | 32% |
Majors and programs at Calvin
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (73)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 59 | $83,043 | $13,639 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 132 | $76,617 | $19,500 |
| Engineering | 141 | $72,534 | $19,250 |
| Special Education and Teaching | 17 | $49,262 | — |
| Marketing | 65 | $47,203 | $13,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 89 | $45,429 | $19,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 84 | $44,475 | $19,594 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 24 | $44,381 | — |
| Psychology | 82 | $42,346 | $18,455 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 46 | $41,545 | $16,390 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 50 | $40,600 | $17,500 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 51 | $39,300 | $21,634 |
| Social Work | 46 | $37,870 | $19,500 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 16 | $33,552 | — |
| Biology | 66 | $32,932 | $19,250 |
| Political Science and Government | 18 | $25,329 | — |
| Accounting and Related Services | 49 | — | $10,500 |
| Area Studies | 5 | — | — |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics | — | — | — |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | — | — | — |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | — | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 9 | — | — |
| Chemistry | 14 | — | — |
| Classical and Ancient Studies | 2 | — | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | 26 | — | — |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | 39 | — | $23,500 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | — | — | — |
| Computer Systems Analysis | 2 | — | — |
| Criminology | 2 | — | — |
| Dance | — | — | — |
| Data Analytics | — | — | — |
| Data Science | 9 | — | — |
| Design and Applied Arts | 12 | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 1 | — | — |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 5 | — | — |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | 9 | — | — |
| Economics | 14 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 10 | — | — |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 2 | — | — |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | — | — | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 45 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 11 | — | — |
| Geography and Cartography | 13 | — | — |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 16 | — | — |
| Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 2 | — | — |
| History | 20 | — | — |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 10 | — | — |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | 14 | — | — |
| Journalism | — | — | — |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | 4 | — | — |
| Literature | 10 | — | — |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 2 | — | — |
| Mathematics | 14 | — | — |
| Mathematics and Computer Science | — | — | — |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 11 | — | — |
| Music | 9 | — | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 27 | — | — |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | — | — | — |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | 41 | — | — |
| Philosophy | 21 | — | — |
| Philosophy, Politics, and Economics | 13 | — | — |
| Physics | 8 | — | — |
| Public Health | 15 | — | — |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 13 | — | — |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 4 | — | — |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 13 | — | — |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 5 | — | — |
| Social Sciences | — | — | — |
| Sociology | 20 | — | — |
| Statistics | 9 | — | — |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language | — | — | — |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | — | — | — |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | — | — | — |
Certificate programs (10)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astronomy and Astrophysics | 1 | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | — | — | — |
| Data Science | — | — | — |
| Geography and Cartography | 33 | — | — |
| International Business | 2 | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | — | — | — |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies | 10 | — | — |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | 51 | — | — |
| Public Policy Analysis | — | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | — | — | — |
Associate's degree programs (1)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | 33 | — | — |
Post-baccalaureate certificate programs (1)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | — | — | — |
Master's degree programs (18)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | 47 | $69,553 | — |
| Education | 9 | $60,874 | — |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | 71 | $60,273 | $52,511 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 14 | — | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | — | — | — |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 7 | — | — |
| Data Science | — | — | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 14 | — | — |
| Geography and Cartography | 10 | — | — |
| Public Administration | — | — | — |
| Public Health | 7 | — | — |
| Public Policy Analysis | — | — | — |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 9 | — | — |
| Security Science and Technology | — | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching | 11 | — | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 17 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 2 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 6 | — | — |
Graduate certificate programs (4)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 6 | — | — |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | 22 | — | — |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | — | — | — |
| Public Administration | — | — | — |
Similar colleges in Michigan
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport University | Grand Rapids | $17,623 | 98% | $52,260 |
| Hope College | Holland | $26,392 | 79% | $65,961 |
| Baker College | Owosso | $10,115 | 82% | $41,297 |
| University of Detroit Mercy | Detroit | $13,469 | 75% | $74,106 |
| Northwood University | Midland | $25,908 | 65% | $68,112 |
| Lawrence Technological University | Southfield | $33,466 | 56% | $78,800 |
| Madonna University | Livonia | $14,792 | 63% | $60,349 |
| Adrian College | Adrian | $31,986 | 73% | $56,860 |
About Calvin
| Type | Private nonprofit four-year university |
|---|---|
| Location | Grand Rapids, MI |
| Setting | Midsize city |
| Undergraduates | 3,193 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 13 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Higher Learning Commission |
| Website | calvin.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is Calvin's acceptance rate?
Calvin University admits 71% of applicants. Admitted students average 1,233 on the SAT.
How much does Calvin cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $54,389 a year (tuition and fees: $40,500). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $21,122 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $15,829.
How much do Calvin graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $60,411 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 18th of 43 similar colleges in Michigan. The best-paid bachelor's program is computer science ($83,043 a year after graduation).
What is Calvin's graduation rate?
77% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 87% of first-year students return for a second year.