Calvin University vs. GVSU

Should I go to Calvin University or Grand Valley State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Calvin University or GVSU 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 University vs. Grand Valley State University comparison
Calvin University Grand Valley State University College 3 College 4
Calvin University Grand Valley State University
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Overview

Calvin University GVSU
Location Grand Rapids, MI Allendale, MI
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,231 21,648
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #284 #583
Religious Affiliation Christian Reformed Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website calvin.edu gvsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Calvin University GVSU
Tuition (In State) $38,370 $13,952
Tuition (Out of State) $38,370 $19,856
Room & Board $11,150 $10,140
Avg Net Price $25,775 $17,105
Avg Grant Aid $26,448 $8,811
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 93%

Admission

Calvin University GVSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,079 17,123
Admitted 3,027 15,474
Acceptance Rate 74.2% 90.4%
Enrolled % 20.4% 25%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.65
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 25/30 21/27
SAT Range 1120/1370 960/1210
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 May 1, 2025

Academics

Calvin University GVSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

Calvin University GVSU
Graduation Rate 77% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 81% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,449 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $273 $258

Diversity

Calvin University GVSU
% Men 46% 38%
% Women 54% 62%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 74% 83%
% Black 3% 5%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 10% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Calvin University GVSU
% In-State 51% 91%
% Out-of-State 33% 8%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Grand Valley State University is larger than than Calvin University based on total student enrollment (21,648 students vs. 3,231 students)

Calvin University vs. GVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Calvin University or GVSU?

  • Calvin University is 175% more expensive to attend than GVSU for in-state tuition ($38,370.00 vs. $13,952.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 93.2% higher at Calvin University than Grand Valley State University ($38,370.00 vs. $19,856.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Grand Valley State University than Calvin University ($17,105 vs. $25,775)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 10% lower than costs at Calvin University ($10,140 vs. $11,150)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Calvin University than Grand Valley State University (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Calvin University students is 200.2% larger than aid received Grand Valley State University ($26,448 vs. $8,811)

Calvin University vs. GVSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Calvin University (1202) is 112 points higher than at GVSU (1090)
  • Incoming Calvin University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at GVSU (24)
  • Accepted freshman Calvin University students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at GVSU (3.65)
  • GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than Calvin University (74.2%)

Calvin University vs. GVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Calvin University or GVSU? 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 GVSU and Calvin University.

  • The graduation rate at Calvin University is higher than Grand Valley State University (77% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from Calvin University earn on average $2,400 more per year than GVSU graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $44,600)
  • Grand Valley State University students graduate with a $1,449 lower median federal student loan debt than Calvin University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $26,449)
  • GVSU graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than Calvin University graduates. ($258 vs. $273)
  • More Calvin University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GVSU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 62%)

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