Calvin University
#1 Best Education Colleges in Michigan- Graduation Rate
- 76% B+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $58,375 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $22,992 D+
- 34% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 71% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 16.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $16.2 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Education Colleges in Michigan.
Every $1 spent returns $16.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,396,828.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 43% above the national college median.
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A 76% graduation rate — 33% above the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $16.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.6%
- Top 37%
- Patents
- 33
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 282
- Downstream influence
Why Calvin University Matters
Calvin University is a private university in Grand Rapids, MI and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 3,193
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 35
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Engineering
Why students choose Calvin University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 71% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1083–1330. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $22,992 a year after grants and scholarships — 34% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $58,375 ten years after enrolling — 43% above the typical college, against $23,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 78% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.79 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Calvin University, with an enrollment of about 3,193 students, is a great fit for those who value a close-knit academic community. With a 71% acceptance rate, it's accessible for a wide range of students. Here, you can dive into programs like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education, Engineering, and Biology & Biomedical. These fields not only reflect current job market demands but also set the stage for meaningful careers.
After graduation, students can expect solid earnings, with a median income of $58,375 ten years post-graduation. That’s an encouraging figure, particularly for those entering fields like healthcare and engineering, where demand is strong. The cost of attending Calvin is manageable, especially when we consider the financial support options available.
Looking at the numbers, the net price after aid comes in at $22,992, with a median debt of $23,250. This means many students graduate with a debt load that’s quite manageable compared to their potential earnings. Those who thrive here tend to be motivated and driven, ready to engage in their studies and take advantage of the supportive environment Calvin offers.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Calvin University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Calvin University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Calvin University, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 71%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,233. The graduation rate is roughly 76%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 71%
- Retention Rate
- 87%
- SAT Average
- 1233
- ACT Midpoint
- 27
- SAT Range
- 1083–1330
- ACT Range
- 24–30
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,559
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.51
- First-Gen Students
- 13%
- Applicants
- 4,079
- Admitted
- 3,027
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Calvin University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Calvin University is $39,350, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $22,992. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,281 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $39,350
- Out-of-State
- $39,350
- Avg Net Price
- $22,992
- Median Debt
- $23,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 17%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 33%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $19,281
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $18,330
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $19,447
- Family Income $110K+
- $26,713
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Calvin University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Calvin University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Calvin University earn a median of $58,375, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $48,039
- 8 Years
- $53,142
- 10 Years
- $58,375
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.4x
- Earning > $25K
- 67%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (601)
- 64%
- 100% (601)
- 64%
- 100% (601)
- 64%
- 100% (601)
- 64%
How Calvin Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Calvin University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Calvin University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $22,992/year ($91,968 total). Graduates earn $58,375 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,488,796 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,396,828 (16.2× your investment). The median debt is $23,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 76% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $91,968
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,488,796
- Net Return
- $1,396,828
- ROI Multiple
- 16.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $22,992
- Median Debt
- $23,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 76%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Calvin University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Calvin University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.98%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.1% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 31.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $111,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.98%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 31.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $151,489
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Calvin University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 33 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.61%
- Top 37% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 33
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 282
- Downstream influence
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 2.47%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-14,361,000
Top Programs
The fields Calvin University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 15% $68,397 early-career
- Health Professions 13% $68,642 early-career
- Education 10% $46,350 early-career
- Engineering 10% $77,456 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 7% $35,271 early-career
- Social Sciences 5% $40,390 early-career
- Humanities 5% $29,247 early-career
- Psychology 5% $35,271 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Calvin University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Calvin University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Calvin University, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 71%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,233. The graduation rate is roughly 76%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Calvin University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Calvin University is $39,350, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $22,992. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,281 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,250 in federal student loans.
Is Calvin University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Calvin University earn a median of $58,375, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Calvin University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Calvin University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.98%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.1% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 31.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $111,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Calvin University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Calvin University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.79, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Calvin University.
- Harding UniversitySearcy, AR · Close peer70% grad $52,876 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Augustana CollegeRock Island, IL · Close peer76% grad $62,971 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Elmhurst UniversityElmhurst, IL · Close peer68% grad $61,462 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Endicott CollegeBeverly, MA · Close peer76% grad $58,336 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Hope CollegeHolland, MI · Close peer81% grad $58,427 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- St. Joseph's University-New YorkBrooklyn, NY · Close peer67% grad $63,905 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Calvin University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Calvin University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.79, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note