About Calvin College

Founded in 1876, Calvin College. is a Private college. Located in Michigan, which is a city setting in Michigan, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 3,806 full time undergraduate students, and 112 full time graduate students.

The Calvin College Academic calendar runs on a Four-one-four plan basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 12:1. There are 262 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Calvin College include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate74%
Application Deadline
Application Fee35
SAT Range1050-1285
ACT Range23-29

Admissions at are considered Selective, with ,43% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 23 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

83% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 53% were in the top quarter, and 28% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Calvin College.

3%
“We”re apathetic”
44%
“We know about current events and vote”
47%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
6%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
3%
“Sometimes, but not often”
70%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
27%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
15%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
85%
“I feel extremely safe”
27%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
48%
“We bought the gear”
24%
“We live for the big game”
3%
“It”s not really our thing”
12%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
64%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
21%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
58%
“They keep regular office hours”
42%
“They”re always available”
91%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
6%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
3%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
12%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
73%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
15%
“We only party on weekends”
0%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
24%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
74%
“There might be people who do”
3%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
3%
“We”re apathetic”
44%
“We know about current events and vote”
47%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
6%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
3%
“Sometimes, but not often”
70%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
27%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
15%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
85%
“I feel extremely safe”
27%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
48%
“We bought the gear”
24%
“We live for the big game”
3%
“It”s not really our thing”
12%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
64%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
21%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
58%
“They keep regular office hours”
42%
“They”re always available”
91%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
6%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
3%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
12%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
73%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
15%
“We only party on weekends”
0%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
24%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
74%
“There might be people who do”
3%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    99 Students rated on-campus housing 3.9 stars. 26 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    72 Students rated off-campus housing 3.9 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    100 Students rated campus food 3.2 stars. 8 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    103 Students rated campus facilities 4.3 stars. 44 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    102 Students rated class size 4.4 stars. 54 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    103 Students rated school activities 4.2 stars. 42 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    103 Students rated local services 3.8 stars. 31 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    103 Students rated academics 4 stars. 35 % gave the school a 5.0.

Calvin College REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Calvin College?

34 Students rated Calvin College

Emily - 03/12/2024

Calvin College is a great school with lots of opportunities to connect with people and engage in rigorous learning. There is a place for everyone to make friends and learn. The dorms aren't great but they meet student needs. The dining hall has gotten better since I have attended, there are plenty of options for everyone, including people with dietary restrictions.

Brianna - 11/07/2020

Calvin University is an excellent college with an inviting atmosphere. The SPAUD program is challenging, but engaging and well worth the work. Calvin offers many opportunities to become involved in campus clubs and is much more diverse than it seems. I transferred to Calvin and found that the community is much kinder and caring than my previous school.

Kayla - 07/21/2019

Calvin is a great small school to get to build strong, life lasting relationships with other students. Academics can be super challenging, so if you're not going to attend class this isn't the place to go. The college is super strict with the no alcohol policy even off campus. The class sizes are small, and most professors are super willing to help with any questions or problems a student might have.

Dasia - 07/11/2019

The school is a great place for people who are trying to explore life through religion and academics. There is no force to be apart of anything but no one is actively trying to put you down for not joining f anything at all. the school is accepting of everyone.

Calvin College FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Calvin College?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Calvin College is 74%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    Keep opinions to yourself and date more.

    Read all 88 answers

  3. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    Since there is such a high acceptance rate, there are many people who simply don't care about their academic performance. This might be expected at a community college or state school, but at a private Christian school with a reputation for being highly academic, I expected more. Maybe things change after the first year, but this is just what I've seen as a freshman.

    Read all 26 answers

  4. What's unique about your campus?

    I love how Calvin has some rules, but leaves a lot up to the students. It is definitely a Christian school, and the professors are all strong believers, but they do not try to run students' lives. One result of this, unfortunately, is that some students misuse their freedom. But many others learn to make truly wise decisions on their own, which they might not have learned going to a college with very strict rules. Calvin emphasizes "responsible freedom" and "cultural discernment", and both ideologies seem to heavily influence the school's rule- and decision-making.

    Read all 21 answers

  5. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    "intentional christian community" hope v. calvin (mainly basketball, but in everything else too)

    Read all 18 answers

  6. Describe the students at your school.

    Most of the students in my classes are good students and are there to learn. I am in a professional program so most of the students are pretty focused.

    Read all 14 answers

  7. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    Calvin College takes the time to address problems that are relevant through the students and community. Professors take time to make sure each students is on the right track and the upper-classmen are eager to answer any questions. When I pulled up to my dorm on move-in day, the president of the college met all of my family and helped carry my boxes all the way to the top floor. With all the upper-classmen helping out, I didn't have to carry anything up to my room. You'll never be treated like royalty at other colleges.

    Read all 14 answers

  8. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    I wish I would have known that they are a reformed school and really are trying to reform you into what/who they want.

    Read all 14 answers

  9. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Someone who is not willing to work hard at school should not attend Calvin College. It's a difficult school and academics are taken seriously.

    Read all 14 answers

  10. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    The small classes, environmental work, and definitely the brand new fieldhouse. It's amazing considering how small our campus is.

    Read all 13 answers

  11. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    Calvin College provides a high quality education to its students.

    Read all 12 answers

  12. What kind of person should attend this school?

    People should attend this school who want to have a good hard education as well as develop or learn about Christianity.

    Read all 12 answers

  13. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    The library and gym are not open on Sundays.

    Read all 8 answers

Student Body

Students

54%

female

46%

male

3,806

Total Undergrad Enrollment

112

Total Grad Students

36%

Out-Of-State

51%

In-State

13%

International

Organizations

60

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

70%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
4%
% Black or African-American
3%
% Hispanic/Latino
4%
% White or Caucasian
73%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

100% of students attending Calvin College receive some sort of financial aid. 28% were awarded federal grants. While 57% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$31,730

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,100

Books and Supplies

$9,840

Room and Board

42,670

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$16,882
$30 - $48K
$18,002
$48 - $75K
$22,370
$75 - $110K
$24,431
$110K & UP
$30,179

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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