Calvin University vs. Purdue

Should I go to Calvin University or Purdue University Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Calvin University or Purdue 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

IU Virginia Tech Illinois Rose-Hulman Wisconsin Hope College UT Austin Ohio State UCSD Iowa NC State ISU
Calvin University vs. Purdue University Main Campus comparison
Calvin University Purdue University Main Campus College 3 College 4
Calvin University Purdue University Main Campus
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Calvin University Purdue
Location Grand Rapids, MI West Lafayette, IN
Setting Midsize City Midsize Suburban
Enrollment 3,231 51,528
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #284 #101
Religious Affiliation Christian Reformed Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website calvin.edu purdue.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Calvin University Purdue
Tuition (In State) $38,370 $9,718
Tuition (Out of State) $38,370 $28,520
Room & Board $11,150 $10,030
Avg Net Price $25,775 $12,576
Avg Grant Aid $26,448 $8,950
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 48%

Admission

Calvin University Purdue
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,079 68,582
Admitted 3,027 36,146
Acceptance Rate 74.2% 52.7%
Enrolled % 20.4% 26.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.67
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Exceptional
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 25/30 27/34
SAT Range 1120/1370 1200/1470
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline

Academics

Calvin University Purdue
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Engineering (18%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Work and Family Studies (6%)

Outcomes

Calvin University Purdue
Graduation Rate 77% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $61,200
Making Student Loan Payments 81% 78%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,449 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $273 $222

Diversity

Calvin University Purdue
% Men 46% 58%
% Women 54% 42%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 74% 65%
% Black 3% 3%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 10% 17%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Calvin University Purdue
% In-State 51% 46%
% Out-of-State 33% 44%

Campus

Calvin University Purdue
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

  • Purdue University Main Campus is larger than than Calvin University based on total student enrollment (51,528 students vs. 3,231 students)

Calvin University vs. Purdue Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Calvin University or Purdue?

  • Calvin University is 294.8% more expensive to attend than Purdue for in-state tuition ($38,370.00 vs. $9,718.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 34.5% higher at Calvin University than Purdue University Main Campus ($38,370.00 vs. $28,520.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Purdue University Main Campus than Calvin University ($12,576 vs. $25,775)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Main Campus are 11.2% lower than costs at Calvin University ($10,030 vs. $11,150)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Calvin University than Purdue University Main Campus (100% vs. 48%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Calvin University students is 195.5% larger than aid received Purdue University Main Campus ($26,448 vs. $8,950)

Calvin University vs. Purdue Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Purdue University Main Campus (1231) is 29 points higher than at Calvin University (1202)
  • Incoming Purdue students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at Calvin University (27)
  • Accepted freshman Calvin University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Purdue (3.67)
  • Calvin University has a higher acceptance rate (74.2%) than Purdue (52.7%)

Calvin University vs. Purdue Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Calvin University is higher than Purdue University Main Campus (77% vs. 68%)
  • Graduates from Purdue University Main Campus earn on average $14,200 more per year than Calvin University graduates after ten years. ($61,200 vs. $47,000)
  • Purdue University Main Campus students graduate with a $4,949 lower median federal student loan debt than Calvin University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $26,449)
  • Purdue graduates are paying $51 less per month on federal student loans than Calvin University graduates. ($222 vs. $273)
  • More Calvin University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purdue students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 78%)

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