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Calvin University

Calvin

Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

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Campus Vibe

Small & IntimateUrbanPrivate

Known for health sciences

Calvin University is a private institution in Grand Rapids with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 1205, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 2.9K undergraduates with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

77% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $58,375 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $24,783.

Established
1876
Motto
My heart I offer to you, O Lord, promptly and sincerely
Type
Private university

Plan Your Visit

71%Acceptance
1205SAT Avg
2,921Students
14:1Student:Faculty
77%Grad Rate
$58,375Earnings 10yr
$24,783Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

Calvin University Launches New Data Science Minor

Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.

tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate71.3%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1205

Reading & WritingMid: 615
530670
MathMid: 615
540670

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 27
2230

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

71.3%

Trend

SAT Avg

1205

Yield Rate

35.0%

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$38,670
Room & Board$11,950
Books & Supplies$1,300
Total Cost of Attendance$53,286
Average Net Price$24,783
Median Debt at Graduation$23,250
Monthly Payment (10yr)$246

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$20,249
$30–48K$17,974
$48–75K$21,973
$75–110K$23,732
$110K+$28,027

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

66.4%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$19,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

22

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

6

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

2

Motor Vehicle Theft

2

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

6

Drug Arrests

4

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (84)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

88%

Mixed
  • 88% first-year retention rate
  • Active student organizations
  • Engaged campus community

Mental Health Services

Counselor Ratio

1:350

24/7 Crisis Line

Yes

Free Sessions

12 per year

Avg Wait

5 days

Walk-in hours available weekdays

Disability Services

Dedicated OfficeOffice of Disability Services
Extended test timeNote-taking assistanceHousing accommodationsAccessible transportation

ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements

Dining

Rating

★★★★☆

Score

4/5

Meal Plan

$6,200/yr

VegetarianVeganGluten-freeHalalKosher

Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options

Student Body

Undergrads
2,921
Gender Split
51% / 49%
Women / Men
First Generation
13%
Pell Grant Recipients
14%

Race & Ethnicity

White 68%
Black 5%
Hispanic 5%
Asian 4%
Two+ 3%
Int'l 13%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate77.4%
Freshman Retention88.5%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$48,039
10 Years$58,375

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#3
vs 2024
Forbes
#213
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Calvin Knights

Intercollegiate teamsVolleyball became

History & Fun Facts

  • In 1892, the campus moved to the intersection of Madison Avenue and Franklin Street (Fifth Avenue) in Grand Rapids.
  • In September 1894, the school expanded the curriculum for those who were not pre-theological students, effectually making the institution a college preparatory school.
  • In 1901, Calvin admitted the first women to the school.
  • In 1906, the literary department of the college became known as John Calvin Junior College and the college held its first commencement.
  • The student newspaper Chimes was first published in 1907.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

112Above Average

Housing and food costs are higher than national average

Climate (School Year)

68°
Sep
55°
Oct
42°
Nov
30°
Dec
25°
Jan
28°
Feb
38°
Mar
50°
Apr
62°
May
Snowfall: 48"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 120

Nearest Cities

Bostonpop. 675,647
90 miles(95 min)
Hartfordpop. 121,054
60 miles(70 min)

Transit Scores

BikeableCampus shuttle: Free campus shuttle runs 7am-midnight
72
Walk Score
45
Transit Score
68
Bike Score

Local Economy

Unemployment Rate3.2%
Top Employers
UniversityRegional Medical CenterTech corridor firms
Key Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnology

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MKE Milwaukee117 mi
DTW Detroit124 mi
ORD Chicago O'Hare135 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA739 mi · ~21h 21m drive
New York, NY615 mi · ~17h 46m drive
Hartford, CT664 mi · ~19h 11m drive
Providence, RI727 mi · ~21h drive
Albany, NY600 mi · ~17h 20m drive
Syracuse, NY477 mi · ~13h 47m drive
Rochester, NY403 mi · ~11h 39m drive
Buffalo, NY339 mi · ~9h 48m drive
Philadelphia, PA577 mi · ~16h 40m drive
Pittsburgh, PA336 mi · ~9h 42m drive
Harrisburg, PA485 mi · ~14h 1m drive
Newark, NJ606 mi · ~17h 30m drive
Washington, DC525 mi · ~15h 10m drive
Baltimore, MD530 mi · ~15h 19m drive
Atlanta, GA638 mi · ~18h 26m drive
Charlotte, NC590 mi · ~17h 3m drive
Raleigh, NC618 mi · ~17h 51m drive
Miami, FL1225 mi · ~35h 23m drive
Orlando, FL1022 mi · ~29h 31m drive
Tampa, FL1050 mi · ~30h 20m drive
Nashville, TN472 mi · ~13h 38m drive
New Orleans, LA930 mi · ~26h 52m drive
Richmond, VA568 mi · ~16h 25m drive
Chicago, IL127 mi · ~3h 40m drive
Detroit, MI136 mi · ~3h 56m drive
Minneapolis, MN407 mi · ~11h 45m drive
St. Louis, MO383 mi · ~11h 4m drive
Kansas City, MO538 mi · ~15h 33m drive
Indianapolis, IN220 mi · ~6h 21m drive
Columbus, OH245 mi · ~7h 5m drive
Cleveland, OH222 mi · ~6h 25m drive
Milwaukee, WI117 mi · ~3h 23m drive
Dallas, TX929 mi · ~26h 50m drive
Houston, TX1059 mi · ~30h 36m drive
Austin, TX1102 mi · ~31h 50m drive
San Antonio, TX1176 mi · ~33h 58m drive
Los Angeles, CA1856 mi · ~53h 37m drive
San Francisco, CA1956 mi · ~56h 30m drive
San Diego, CA1848 mi · ~53h 23m drive
Seattle, WA1798 mi · ~51h 57m drive
Portland, OR1829 mi · ~52h 50m drive
Denver, CO1028 mi · ~29h 42m drive
Phoenix, AZ1572 mi · ~45h 25m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1357 mi · ~39h 12m drive
Honolulu, HI4347 mi · ~125h 35m drive
Upper Midwest / Northeast (cold winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Suggested Itinerary

9:00 AMArrive & park
Visitor parking lot
Free parking with visitor pass
9:30 AMCheck in at Admissions
Admissions Office
10:00 AMInformation session
Welcome Center
45 minutes
11:00 AMCampus tour
Starts at Welcome Center
75 minutes, student-led
12:30 PMLunch
Main Dining Hall
Visitor meal passes available
1:30 PMDepartment visit
Academic buildings
Schedule with department directly
2:30 PMExplore campus independently
Library, student center, residence halls

Airport Transit

Milwaukee (MKE)117 miles
Rental car
176 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
234 min$140-234
Detroit (DTW)124 miles
Rental car
186 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
248 min$149-248

Deadline Calendar

Calvin University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications

Calvin University — v2 Preview — TourStack