Calvin University vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College

Comparable Facts

Compare Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI with Penn State Erie Behrend College in Erie, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Calvin University is larger than Penn State Erie-Behrend College based on total student enrollment (3,681 students vs. 3,336 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Calvin University is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Penn State Erie Behrend College is in Erie, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Calvin University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Erie Behrend College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Calvin University 13:1; Penn State Erie Behrend College 12:1.

Calvin University vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Calvin University or Penn State Erie-Behrend College? 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 Penn State Erie Behrend College than Calvin University ($23,764 vs. $25,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Calvin University are 16.3% lower than at Penn State Erie Behrend College ($12,120 vs. $14,474).
• Calvin University is 146.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Erie-Behrend College (about $23,378 more per year; $39,350.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46% higher at Calvin University than at Penn State Erie Behrend College (about $12,392 more per year; $39,350.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Calvin University than at Penn State Erie Behrend College (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Calvin University students is 170.7% larger than aid received by Penn State Erie Behrend College students ($29,123 vs. $10,760).

Calvin University vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Calvin University or Penn State Erie-Behrend College? 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 Penn State Erie-Behrend College and Calvin University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Erie Behrend College (1220) is 10 points higher than at Calvin University (1210).
• Incoming Penn State Erie-Behrend College 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; Penn State Erie Behrend College 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Calvin University 24/30; Penn State Erie Behrend College 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Calvin University - Test optional; Penn State Erie-Behrend College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Calvin University students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Penn State Erie-Behrend College (3.49).
• Penn State Erie-Behrend College has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Calvin University (70.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at Calvin University vs. 14.5% at Penn State Erie-Behrend College.

Calvin University vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Calvin University and Penn State Erie-Behrend College? 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 Penn State Erie Behrend College's (66%).
• Graduates from Penn State Erie Behrend College earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than Calvin University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $47,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Calvin University graduates have a $369 lower median loan debt than Penn State Erie-Behrend College graduates ($26,449 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Calvin University graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Erie-Behrend College graduates ($273 vs. $277).
• More Calvin University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Erie-Behrend College students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 69%)

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.