Calvin University vs. University of Dayton

Deciding between Calvin University and University of Dayton? 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
University of Dayton

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Calvin University Grand Rapids, MI
  • University of Dayton Dayton, OH
  • Setting
  • Calvin University Midsize City
  • University of Dayton Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Calvin University 3,681
  • University of Dayton 10,506
  • Type
  • Calvin University Private 4 Year
  • University of Dayton Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Calvin University #299
  • University of Dayton #204
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Calvin University Christian Reformed Church
  • University of Dayton Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • Calvin University Non-profit
  • University of Dayton Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Calvin University
  • University of Dayton
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Calvin University $39,350
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Calvin University $39,350
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Room & Board
  • Calvin University $12,120
  • University of Dayton $16,800
  • Average Net Price
  • Calvin University $25,231
  • University of Dayton $32,794
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Calvin University $29,123
  • University of Dayton $33,418
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Calvin University 100%
  • University of Dayton 95%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Calvin University 5,723
  • University of Dayton 21,981
  • Admitted
  • Calvin University 4,058
  • University of Dayton 14,386
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Calvin University 70.9%
  • University of Dayton 65.4%
  • Enrolled
  • Calvin University 21.4%
  • University of Dayton 11.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Calvin University 1210
  • University of Dayton 1290
  • Typical ACT score
  • Calvin University 27
  • University of Dayton 28
  • Average High School GPA
  • Calvin University 3.84
  • University of Dayton 3.77
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Calvin University A-
  • University of Dayton A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Calvin University Difficult
  • University of Dayton Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Calvin University Low
  • University of Dayton Low
  • ACT Range
  • Calvin University 24/30
  • University of Dayton 25/31
  • SAT Range
  • Calvin University 1083/1330
  • University of Dayton 1200/1380
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Calvin University Test optional
  • University of Dayton Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Calvin University
  • University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Calvin University 13:1
  • University of Dayton 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Calvin University
    • Business (13%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • University of Dayton
    • Business (28%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Health Professions (5%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Calvin University 77%
  • University of Dayton 74%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Calvin University $47,000
  • University of Dayton $57,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Calvin University 81%
  • University of Dayton 84%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Calvin University $26,449
  • University of Dayton $26,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Calvin University $273
  • University of Dayton $268
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Calvin University 47%
  • University of Dayton 52%
  • % Women
  • Calvin University 53%
  • University of Dayton 48%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Calvin University Low
  • University of Dayton Low
  • HBCU
  • Calvin University No
  • University of Dayton No
  • % White
  • Calvin University 74%
  • University of Dayton 78%
  • % Asian
  • Calvin University 4%
  • University of Dayton 1%
  • % Black
  • Calvin University 3%
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • Calvin University 4%
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • % Native American
  • Calvin University 0%
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Calvin University 0%
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Calvin University 4%
  • University of Dayton 2%
  • % International
  • Calvin University 10%
  • University of Dayton 11%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Calvin University 2%
  • University of Dayton 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Calvin University 62%
  • University of Dayton 54%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Calvin University 24%
  • University of Dayton 41%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

University of Dayton is larger than Calvin University based on total student enrollment (10,506 students vs. 3,681 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Calvin University is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); University of Dayton is in Dayton, OH (Midsize City setting).
  • Calvin University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Dayton is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Calvin University 13:1; University of Dayton 14:1.

Calvin University vs. University of Dayton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Calvin University or University of Dayton? 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 Calvin University than University of Dayton ($25,231 vs. $32,794).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Calvin University are 27.9% lower than at University of Dayton ($12,120 vs. $16,800).
  • University of Dayton is 24.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Calvin University (about $9,790 more per year; $49,140.00 vs. $39,350.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 24.9% higher at University of Dayton than at Calvin University (about $9,790 more per year; $49,140.00 vs. $39,350.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Calvin University than at University of Dayton (100% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Dayton students is 14.7% larger than aid received by Calvin University students ($33,418 vs. $29,123).

Calvin University vs. University of Dayton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Calvin University or University of Dayton? 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 University of Dayton and Calvin University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Dayton (1290) is 80 points higher than at Calvin University (1210).
  • Incoming University of Dayton 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; University of Dayton 1200/1380.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Calvin University 24/30; University of Dayton 25/31.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Calvin University - Test optional; University of Dayton - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Calvin University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at University of Dayton (3.77).
  • Calvin University has a higher acceptance rate (70.9%) than University of Dayton (65.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at Calvin University vs. 11.7% at University of Dayton.

Calvin University vs. University of Dayton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Calvin University and University of Dayton? 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 University of Dayton's (74%).
  • Graduates from University of Dayton earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than Calvin University graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,300 vs. $47,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Dayton graduates have a $449 lower median loan debt than Calvin University graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,449).
  • Among borrowers, University of Dayton graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Calvin University graduates ($268 vs. $273).
  • More University of Dayton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Calvin University students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 81%)

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.