Calvin University vs. ONU

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

Calvin University ONU
Location Grand Rapids, MI Ada, OH
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 3,231 3,015
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #284 #211
Religious Affiliation Christian Reformed Church United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website calvin.edu onu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Calvin University ONU
Tuition (In State) $38,370 $35,480
Tuition (Out of State) $38,370 $35,480
Room & Board $11,150 $12,900
Avg Net Price $25,775 $27,398
Avg Grant Aid $26,448 $24,235
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 97%

Admission

Calvin University ONU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,079 6,625
Admitted 3,027 3,602
Acceptance Rate 74.2% 54.4%
Enrolled % 20.4% 18.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.78
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 25/30 25/30
SAT Range 1120/1370 1160/1340
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 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Calvin University ONU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Engineering (16%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Education (7%)

Outcomes

Calvin University ONU
Graduation Rate 77% 65%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $71,200
Making Student Loan Payments 81% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,449 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $273 $279

Diversity

Calvin University ONU
% Men 46% 52%
% Women 54% 48%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 74% 84%
% Black 3% 3%
% Hispanic 4% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 10% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 3%

Students

Calvin University ONU
% In-State 51% 83%
% Out-of-State 33% 16%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Calvin University is larger than than ONU based on total student enrollment (3,231 students vs. 3,015 students)

Calvin University vs. ONU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Calvin University or ONU?

  • Calvin University is 8.1% more expensive to attend than ONU for in-state tuition ($38,370.00 vs. $35,480.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 8.1% higher at Calvin University than Ohio Northern University ($38,370.00 vs. $35,480.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Calvin University than ONU ($25,775 vs. $27,398)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Calvin University are 15.7% lower than costs at Ohio Northern University ($11,150 vs. $12,900)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Calvin University than Ohio Northern University (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Calvin University students is 9.1% larger than aid received Ohio Northern University ($26,448 vs. $24,235)

Calvin University vs. ONU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Calvin University (1202) is 44 points higher than at ONU (1158)
  • Incoming Calvin University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at ONU (26)
  • Accepted freshman Calvin University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at ONU (3.78)
  • Calvin University has a higher acceptance rate (74.2%) than ONU (54.4%)

Calvin University vs. ONU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Calvin University is higher than Ohio Northern University (77% vs. 65%)
  • Graduates from Ohio Northern University earn on average $24,200 more per year than Calvin University graduates after ten years. ($71,200 vs. $47,000)
  • Calvin University students graduate with a $551 lower median federal student loan debt than ONU graduates. ($26,449 vs. $27,000)
  • Calvin University graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than ONU graduates. ($273 vs. $279)
  • More ONU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Calvin University students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 81%)

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