Calvin College vs. CMU

Should I go to Calvin College or Central Michigan University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Calvin College or CMU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Calvin College vs. Central Michigan University comparison
Calvin College Central Michigan University College 3 College 4
Calvin College Central Michigan University
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Overview

Calvin College CMU
Location Grand Rapids, MI Mount Pleasant, MI
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 3,231 14,557
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #284 #715
Religious Affiliation Christian Reformed Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website calvin.edu cmich.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Calvin College CMU
Tuition (In State) $38,370 $13,200
Tuition (Out of State) $38,370 $13,200
Room & Board $11,150 $11,248
Avg Net Price $25,775 $15,605
Avg Grant Aid $26,448 $11,314
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 96%

Admission

Calvin College CMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,079 19,888
Admitted 3,027 15,701
Acceptance Rate 74.2% 78.9%
Enrolled % 20.4% 12.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.47
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 25/30 21/27
SAT Range 1120/1370 980/1220
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Calvin College CMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Calvin College CMU
Graduation Rate 77% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $44,500
Making Student Loan Payments 81% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,449 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $273 $279

Diversity

Calvin College CMU
% Men 46% 40%
% Women 54% 60%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 74% 79%
% Black 3% 8%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 10% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 3%

Students

Calvin College CMU
% In-State 51% 90%
% Out-of-State 33% 9%

Campus

Calvin College CMU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Central Michigan University is larger than than Calvin College based on total student enrollment (14,557 students vs. 3,231 students)

Calvin College vs. CMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Calvin College or CMU?

  • Calvin College is 190.7% more expensive to attend than CMU for in-state tuition ($38,370.00 vs. $13,200.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 190.7% higher at Calvin College than Central Michigan University ($38,370.00 vs. $13,200.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Michigan University than Calvin College ($15,605 vs. $25,775)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Calvin College are 0.9% lower than costs at Central Michigan University ($11,150 vs. $11,248)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Calvin College than Central Michigan University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Calvin College students is 133.8% larger than aid received Central Michigan University ($26,448 vs. $11,314)

Calvin College vs. CMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Calvin College or CMU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between CMU or Calvin College .

  • The average SAT score at Calvin College (1202) is 153 points higher than at CMU (1049)
  • Incoming Calvin College students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at CMU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Calvin College students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at CMU (3.47)
  • CMU has a higher acceptance rate (78.9%) than Calvin College (74.2%)

Calvin College vs. CMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Calvin College or CMU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between CMU and Calvin College.

  • The graduation rate at Calvin College is higher than Central Michigan University (77% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from Calvin College earn on average $2,500 more per year than CMU graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $44,500)
  • Calvin College students graduate with a $551 lower median federal student loan debt than CMU graduates. ($26,449 vs. $27,000)
  • Calvin College graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than CMU graduates. ($273 vs. $279)
  • More Calvin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 54%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/