Calvin University vs. Canisius

Deciding between Calvin University and Canisius University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Calvin University
Canisius University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Calvin University Grand Rapids, MI
  • Canisius Buffalo, NY
  • Setting
  • Calvin University Midsize City
  • Canisius Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Calvin University 3,681
  • Canisius 2,451
  • Type
  • Calvin University Private 4 Year
  • Canisius Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Calvin University #299
  • Canisius #393
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Calvin University Christian Reformed Church
  • Canisius Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • Calvin University Non-profit
  • Canisius Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Calvin University
  • Canisius
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Calvin University $39,350
  • Canisius $34,500
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Calvin University $39,350
  • Canisius $34,500
  • Room & Board
  • Calvin University $12,120
  • Canisius $13,560
  • Average Net Price
  • Calvin University $25,231
  • Canisius $19,666
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Calvin University $29,123
  • Canisius $24,972
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Calvin University 100%
  • Canisius 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Calvin University 5,723
  • Canisius 4,175
  • Admitted
  • Calvin University 4,058
  • Canisius 3,021
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Calvin University 70.9%
  • Canisius 72.4%
  • Enrolled
  • Calvin University 21.4%
  • Canisius 13.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Calvin University 1210
  • Canisius 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • Calvin University 27
  • Canisius 25
  • Average High School GPA
  • Calvin University 3.84
  • Canisius 3.7
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Calvin University A-
  • Canisius A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Calvin University Difficult
  • Canisius Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • Calvin University Low
  • Canisius Low
  • ACT Range
  • Calvin University 24/30
  • Canisius 22/28
  • SAT Range
  • Calvin University 1083/1330
  • Canisius 1050/1320
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Calvin University Test optional
  • Canisius Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Calvin University
  • Canisius
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Calvin University 13:1
  • Canisius 11:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Calvin University
    • Business (13%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Canisius
    • Business (25%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Education (9%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Calvin University 77%
  • Canisius 67%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Calvin University $47,000
  • Canisius $49,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Calvin University 81%
  • Canisius 71%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Calvin University $26,449
  • Canisius $24,750
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Calvin University $273
  • Canisius $255
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Calvin University 47%
  • Canisius 48%
  • % Women
  • Calvin University 53%
  • Canisius 52%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Calvin University Low
  • Canisius Low
  • HBCU
  • Calvin University No
  • Canisius No
  • % White
  • Calvin University 74%
  • Canisius 73%
  • % Asian
  • Calvin University 4%
  • Canisius 2%
  • % Black
  • Calvin University 3%
  • Canisius 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • Calvin University 4%
  • Canisius 6%
  • % Native American
  • Calvin University 0%
  • Canisius 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Calvin University 0%
  • Canisius 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Calvin University 4%
  • Canisius 1%
  • % International
  • Calvin University 10%
  • Canisius 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Calvin University 2%
  • Canisius 4%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Calvin University 62%
  • Canisius 77%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Calvin University 24%
  • Canisius 15%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Calvin University Yes
  • Canisius Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Calvin University No
  • Canisius No
  • Meal Plan
  • Calvin University Yes
  • Canisius Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Calvin University No
  • Canisius No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Calvin University No
  • Canisius No

Comparable Facts

Compare Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI with Canisius University in Buffalo, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Calvin University is larger than Canisius based on total student enrollment (3,681 students vs. 2,451 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Calvin University is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Canisius University is in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting).
  • Calvin University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Canisius University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Calvin University 13:1; Canisius University 11:1.

Calvin University vs. Canisius Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Calvin University or Canisius? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Canisius University than Calvin University ($19,666 vs. $25,231).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Calvin University are 10.6% lower than at Canisius University ($12,120 vs. $13,560).
  • Calvin University is 14.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Canisius (about $4,850 more per year; $39,350.00 vs. $34,500.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 14.1% higher at Calvin University than at Canisius University (about $4,850 more per year; $39,350.00 vs. $34,500.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Calvin University as at Canisius University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Calvin University students is 16.6% larger than aid received by Canisius University students ($29,123 vs. $24,972).

Calvin University vs. Canisius Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Calvin University or Canisius? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Canisius and Calvin University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Calvin University (1210) is 20 points higher than at Canisius (1190).
  • Incoming Calvin University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Canisius).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Calvin University 1083/1330; Canisius University 1050/1320.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Calvin University 24/30; Canisius University 22/28.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Calvin University - Test optional; Canisius - Test-free.
  • Accepted freshman Calvin University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Canisius (3.7).
  • Canisius has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than Calvin University (70.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at Calvin University vs. 13.1% at Canisius.

Calvin University vs. Canisius Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Calvin University and Canisius? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Calvin University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Canisius University's (67%).
  • Graduates from Canisius University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Calvin University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,900 vs. $47,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Canisius University graduates have a $1,699 lower median loan debt than Calvin University graduates ($24,750 vs. $26,449).
  • Among borrowers, Canisius graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Calvin University graduates ($255 vs. $273).
  • More Calvin University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Canisius students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.