Overview of Calvin College

Calvin College is a comprehensive private liberal arts institution named after John Calvin and associated with the Reformed Christian Church. Calvin offers traditional disciplines in the liberal arts and sciences as well as programs in professional areas such as business, education, engineering, and nursing. The institution has a 12 to 1 student/faculty ratio, and the institution’s faculty are all committed to integrating faith with education. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations. The Calvin Knights play in the NCAA Division III Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Popular sports include Track & Field, swimming, soccer, basketball, and golf.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 3,732 (3,625 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 47% Male/53% Female
• 94% Full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $36,300
• Books: $1,200
• Room and Board: $10,600
• Other Expenses: $2,700
• Total Cost: $50,800

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of Students Receiving Aid: 100%
• Percentage of Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 100%
  • Loans: 50%
• Mean Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $18,228
  • Loans: $6,210

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Degree options: Engineering, General; Business/Commerce, General; Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse; Psychology, General; and Elementary Education and Teaching

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 87%
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 62%
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 77%

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball

Overview of Calvin College Admissions

Calvin is a reasonably selective institution. About one-quarter of applicants will not be accepted. The admission process is not holistic. Applicants must complete an online application, and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Applicants don’t need to send essays or recommendation letters. Instead, admissions are decided by test scores and GPA. This institution wants to see outstanding grades in the most rigorous classes possible; Advanced Placement, IB, Honors, and dual enrollment classes— the more challenging your high school courses were, the better. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

Admissions Data

• Calvin College Acceptance Rate: 79%
• Test Scores — 25th/75th Percentile
  • SAT Critical Reading: 570/680
  • SAT Math: 580/690
  • SAT Writing: -/-
  • ACT Cumulative: 24/30
  • ACT English: 23/33
  • ACT Math: 22/29

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Calvin College, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If Calvin College is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

Seton Hall University, Quinnipiac University, Ohio University, University of Alabama, University of Texas at Arlington, University of North Texas, California State University Long Beach

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Calvin College, then you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

Syracuse University, Drexel University, University of California, Davis, Chapman University, University of Cincinnati, Penn State University Park, United States Military Academy

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will Be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Calvin College. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

University of California, Santa Barbara, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Stony Brook University, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Connecticut, University of California, Irvine, Rochester Institute of Technology

Applying to Calvin College

Application Deadline: August 15

Undergraduate Admissions Website: https://calvin.edu/admissions/

Undergraduate Application Link(s): https://calvin.edu/admissions/apply/first-year/

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://calvin.edu/offices-services/career-center/graduate-school/

Graduate Application Link(s): https://calvin.edu/admissions/apply/graduate/