Calvin University vs. OWU

Deciding between Calvin University and Ohio Wesleyan University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Calvin University
Ohio Wesleyan University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Calvin University Grand Rapids, MI
  • OWU Delaware, OH
  • Setting
  • Calvin University Midsize City
  • OWU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Calvin University 3,681
  • OWU 1,525
  • Type
  • Calvin University Private 4 Year
  • OWU Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Calvin University #299
  • OWU #386
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Calvin University Christian Reformed Church
  • OWU United Methodist
  • Status
  • Calvin University Non-profit
  • OWU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Calvin University
  • OWU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Calvin University $39,350
  • OWU $53,888
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Calvin University $39,350
  • OWU $53,888
  • Room & Board
  • Calvin University $12,120
  • OWU $14,684
  • Average Net Price
  • Calvin University $25,231
  • OWU $23,006
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Calvin University $29,123
  • OWU $45,481
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Calvin University 100%
  • OWU 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Calvin University 5,723
  • OWU 6,144
  • Admitted
  • Calvin University 4,058
  • OWU 3,416
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Calvin University 70.9%
  • OWU 55.6%
  • Enrolled
  • Calvin University 21.4%
  • OWU 12.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Calvin University 1210
  • OWU 1230
  • Typical ACT score
  • Calvin University 27
  • OWU 28
  • Average High School GPA
  • Calvin University 3.84
  • OWU 3.54
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Calvin University A-
  • OWU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Calvin University Difficult
  • OWU Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Calvin University Low
  • OWU Low
  • ACT Range
  • Calvin University 24/30
  • OWU 25/31
  • SAT Range
  • Calvin University 1083/1330
  • OWU 1105/1350
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Calvin University Test optional
  • OWU Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Calvin University
  • OWU Mar 1, 2027
  • Academics

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

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

  • % Men
  • Calvin University 47%
  • OWU 44%
  • % Women
  • Calvin University 53%
  • OWU 56%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Calvin University Low
  • OWU Medium
  • HBCU
  • Calvin University No
  • OWU No
  • % White
  • Calvin University 74%
  • OWU 70%
  • % Asian
  • Calvin University 4%
  • OWU 3%
  • % Black
  • Calvin University 3%
  • OWU 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • Calvin University 4%
  • OWU 5%
  • % Native American
  • Calvin University 0%
  • OWU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Calvin University 0%
  • OWU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Calvin University 4%
  • OWU 5%
  • % International
  • Calvin University 10%
  • OWU 6%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Calvin University 2%
  • OWU 3%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Calvin University 62%
  • OWU 71%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Calvin University 24%
  • OWU 24%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI with Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Calvin University is larger than OWU based on total student enrollment (3,681 students vs. 1,525 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Calvin University is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Ohio Wesleyan University is in Delaware, OH (Distant Town setting).
  • Calvin University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Calvin University 13:1; Ohio Wesleyan University 12:1.

Calvin University vs. OWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Calvin University or OWU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ohio Wesleyan University than Calvin University ($23,006 vs. $25,231).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Calvin University are 17.5% lower than at Ohio Wesleyan University ($12,120 vs. $14,684).
  • Ohio Wesleyan University is 36.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Calvin University (about $14,538 more per year; $53,888.00 vs. $39,350.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 36.9% higher at OWU than at Calvin University (about $14,538 more per year; $53,888.00 vs. $39,350.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Calvin University as at Ohio Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio Wesleyan University students is 56.2% larger than aid received by Calvin University students ($45,481 vs. $29,123).

Calvin University vs. OWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Calvin University or OWU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between OWU and Calvin University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ohio Wesleyan University (1230) is 20 points higher than at Calvin University (1210).
  • Incoming OWU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at Calvin University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Calvin University 1083/1330; Ohio Wesleyan University 1105/1350.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Calvin University 24/30; Ohio Wesleyan University 25/31.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Calvin University - Test optional; OWU - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: OWU Mar 1, 2027.
  • 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 (70.9%) than OWU (55.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at Calvin University vs. 12.6% at OWU.

Calvin University vs. OWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Calvin University and OWU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Calvin University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Ohio Wesleyan University's (61%).
  • Graduates from Ohio Wesleyan University earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Calvin University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,600 vs. $47,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Calvin University graduates have a $551 lower median loan debt than OWU graduates ($26,449 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Calvin University graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.