Calvin University vs. OWU

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

Calvin University OWU
Location Grand Rapids, MI Delaware, OH
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 3,364 1,452
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #323 #369
Religious Affiliation Christian Reformed Church United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website calvin.edu owu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Calvin University OWU
Tuition (In State) $38,370 $51,771
Tuition (Out of State) $38,370 $51,771
Room & Board $11,950 $14,226
Avg Net Price $26,374 $23,826
Avg Grant Aid $27,189 $42,496
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Calvin University OWU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,719 5,708
Admitted 3,365 2,892
Acceptance Rate 71.3% 50.7%
Enrolled % 21.5% 14.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.54
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Very High
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 22/30 25/31
SAT Range 1070/1340 1105/1350
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 1, 2026

Academics

Calvin University OWU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Social Sciences (17%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Foreign Languages (8%)

Outcomes

Calvin University OWU
Graduation Rate 77% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $49,600
Making Student Loan Payments 81% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,449 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $273 $279

Diversity

Calvin University OWU
% Men 2% 0%
% Women 7% 0%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 74% 70%
% Black 3% 8%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 5%
% International 10% 6%
% Unknown Race 2% 3%

Students

Calvin University OWU
% In-State 51% 66%
% Out-of-State 33% 27%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Calvin University is larger than than OWU based on total student enrollment (3,364 students vs. 1,452 students)

Calvin University vs. OWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Calvin University or OWU?

  • Ohio Wesleyan University is 34.9% more expensive to attend than Calvin University for in-state tuition ($51,771.00 vs. $38,370.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 34.9% higher at OWU than Calvin University ($51,771.00 vs. $38,370.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ohio Wesleyan University than Calvin University ($23,826 vs. $26,374)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Calvin University are 19% lower than costs at Ohio Wesleyan University ($11,950 vs. $14,226)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Calvin University as Ohio Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio Wesleyan University students is 56.3% larger than aid received Calvin University ($42,496 vs. $27,189)

Calvin University vs. OWU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Calvin University students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at OWU (3.54)
  • Calvin University has a higher acceptance rate (71.3%) than OWU (50.7%)

Calvin University vs. OWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Calvin University is higher than Ohio Wesleyan University (77% vs. 61%)
  • Graduates from Ohio Wesleyan University earn on average $2,600 more per year than Calvin University graduates after ten years. ($49,600 vs. $47,000)
  • Calvin University students graduate with a $551 lower median federal student loan debt than OWU graduates. ($26,449 vs. $27,000)
  • Calvin University graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than OWU graduates. ($273 vs. $279)
  • More Calvin University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OWU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 80%)

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