Calvin University vs. Hillsdale College

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

Calvin University Hillsdale College
Location Grand Rapids, MI Hillsdale, Michigan
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 3,364 1,823
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #323
Religious Affiliation Christian Reformed Church Undenominational - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website calvin.edu hillsdale.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Calvin University Hillsdale College
Tuition (In State) $38,370 $30,780
Tuition (Out of State) $38,370 $30,780
Room & Board $11,950 $13,180
Avg Net Price $26,374 $26,030
Avg Grant Aid $27,189 $20,505
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 97%

Admission

Calvin University Hillsdale College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,719 2,773
Admitted 3,365 571
Acceptance Rate 71.3% 20.6%
Enrolled % 21.5% 61.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.93
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Exceptional
Applicant Competition Low Very High
ACT Range 22/30 30/33
SAT Range 1070/1340 1340/1510
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 Mar 15, 2026

Academics

Calvin University Hillsdale College
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 8:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Calvin University Hillsdale College
Graduation Rate 77% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 N/A
Making Student Loan Payments 81% -
Median Student Loan Debt $26,449 N/A
Median Loan Payment $273 N/A

Diversity

Calvin University Hillsdale College
% Men 2% 5%
% Women 7% 2%
Racial Diversity Low -
HBCU No No
% White 74% 0%
% Black 3% 0%
% Hispanic 4% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 0%
% International 10% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Calvin University Hillsdale College
% In-State 51% 21%
% Out-of-State 33% 78%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Calvin University is larger than than Hillsdale College based on total student enrollment (3,364 students vs. 1,823 students)

Calvin University vs. Hillsdale College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Calvin University or Hillsdale College?

  • Calvin University is 24.7% more expensive to attend than Hillsdale College for in-state tuition ($38,370.00 vs. $30,780.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 24.7% higher at Calvin University than Hillsdale College ($38,370.00 vs. $30,780.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Hillsdale College than Calvin University ($26,030 vs. $26,374)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Calvin University are 10.3% lower than costs at Hillsdale College ($11,950 vs. $13,180)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Calvin University than Hillsdale College (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Calvin University students is 32.6% larger than aid received Hillsdale College ($27,189 vs. $20,505)

Calvin University vs. Hillsdale College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Hillsdale College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Calvin University (3.84)
  • Calvin University has a higher acceptance rate (71.3%) than Hillsdale College (20.6%)

Calvin University vs. Hillsdale College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Calvin University or Hillsdale College? 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 Hillsdale College and Calvin University.

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