Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
Hope College Wheaton College GVSU Cedarville University Michigan State Taylor University Michigan DePauw Loyola Butler WMU Valpo| Calvin College | Thomas Jefferson University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Calvin College | Jefferson | ||
| Location | Grand Rapids, MI | Philadelphia, PA | ||
| Setting | Midsize City | Large City | ||
| Enrollment | 3,231 | 8,286 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #284 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | Christian Reformed Church | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | calvin.edu | jefferson.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Calvin College | Jefferson | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $38,370 | $43,100 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $38,370 | $43,100 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,150 | $14,715 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $25,775 | $28,110 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $26,448 | $32,486 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 100% |
Admission |
Calvin College | Jefferson | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 4,079 | 5,723 | ||
| Admitted | 3,027 | 5,085 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 74.2% | 88.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 20.4% | 14.9% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.84 | 3.73 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Difficult | Difficult | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 25/30 | 27/31 | ||
| SAT Range | 1120/1370 | 1130/1350 | ||
| 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 | Jul 31, 2025 |
Academics |
Calvin College | Jefferson | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 12:1 | 13:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
Calvin College | Jefferson | ||
| Graduation Rate | 77% | - | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $47,000 | $122,900 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 81% | 86% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $26,449 | $12,500 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $273 | $129 |
Diversity |
Calvin College | Jefferson | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 46% | 27% | ||
| % Women | 54% | 73% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 74% | 72% | ||
| % Black | 3% | 7% | ||
| % Hispanic | 4% | 1% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 4% | 3% | ||
| % International | 10% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 7% |
Students |
Calvin College | Jefferson | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 51% | 63% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 33% | 35% | ||
Campus |
Calvin College | Jefferson | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | |||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | |||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Thomas Jefferson University is larger than than Calvin College based on total student enrollment (8,286 students vs. 3,231 students)
Calvin College vs. Jefferson Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Calvin College or Jefferson?
- Thomas Jefferson University is 12.3% more expensive to attend than Calvin College for in-state tuition ($43,100.00 vs. $38,370.00)
- Out of state tuition is 12.3% higher at Jefferson than Calvin College ($43,100.00 vs. $38,370.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Calvin College than Jefferson ($25,775 vs. $28,110)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Calvin College are 32% lower than costs at Thomas Jefferson University ($11,150 vs. $14,715)
- The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Calvin College as Thomas Jefferson University (100% vs. 100%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 22.8% larger than aid received Calvin College ($32,486 vs. $26,448)
Calvin College vs. Jefferson Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Calvin College or Jefferson? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Jefferson or Calvin College .
- Accepted freshman Calvin College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Jefferson (3.73)
- Jefferson has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Calvin College (74.2%)
Calvin College vs. Jefferson Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Calvin College or Jefferson? 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 Jefferson and Calvin College.
- Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn on average $75,900 more per year than Calvin College graduates after ten years. ($122,900 vs. $47,000)
- Thomas Jefferson University students graduate with a $13,949 lower median federal student loan debt than Calvin College graduates. ($12,500 vs. $26,449)
- Jefferson graduates are paying $144 less per month on federal student loans than Calvin College graduates. ($129 vs. $273)
- More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Calvin College students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 81%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/