Calvin University vs. Wisconsin

Should I go to Calvin University or University of Wisconsin Madison? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Calvin University or Wisconsin 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.

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Calvin University vs. University of Wisconsin Madison comparison
Calvin University University of Wisconsin Madison College 3 College 4
Calvin University University of Wisconsin Madison
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Overview

Calvin University Wisconsin
Location Grand Rapids, MI Madison, WI
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 3,231 48,956
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #284 #105
Religious Affiliation Christian Reformed Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website calvin.edu wisc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Calvin University Wisconsin
Tuition (In State) $38,370 $9,273
Tuition (Out of State) $38,370 $37,904
Room & Board $11,150 $12,894
Avg Net Price $25,775 $13,376
Avg Grant Aid $26,448 $11,171
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 47%

Admission

Calvin University Wisconsin
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,079 60,214
Admitted 3,027 29,539
Acceptance Rate 74.2% 49.1%
Enrolled % 20.4% 29.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.88
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Exceptional
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 25/30 26/32
SAT Range 1120/1370 1340/1510
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 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

Calvin University Wisconsin
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • Biology (12%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Engineering (8%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

Calvin University Wisconsin
Graduation Rate 77% 82%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $64,800
Making Student Loan Payments 81% 84%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,449 $22,250
Median Loan Payment $273 $230

Diversity

Calvin University Wisconsin
% Men 46% 47%
% Women 54% 53%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 74% 76%
% Black 3% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 10% 8%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Calvin University Wisconsin
% In-State 51% 43%
% Out-of-State 33% 47%

Campus

Calvin University Wisconsin
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

  • University of Wisconsin Madison is larger than than Calvin University based on total student enrollment (48,956 students vs. 3,231 students)

Calvin University vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Calvin University or Wisconsin?

  • Calvin University is 313.8% more expensive to attend than Wisconsin for in-state tuition ($38,370.00 vs. $9,273.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.2% higher at Calvin University than University of Wisconsin Madison ($38,370.00 vs. $37,904.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Wisconsin Madison than Calvin University ($13,376 vs. $25,775)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Calvin University are 15.6% lower than costs at University of Wisconsin Madison ($11,150 vs. $12,894)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Calvin University than University of Wisconsin Madison (100% vs. 47%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Calvin University students is 136.8% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin Madison ($26,448 vs. $11,171)

Calvin University vs. Wisconsin Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Wisconsin Madison (1300) is 98 points higher than at Calvin University (1202)
  • Incoming Wisconsin students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (29) than students at Calvin University (27)
  • Accepted freshman Wisconsin students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Calvin University (3.84)
  • Calvin University has a higher acceptance rate (74.2%) than Wisconsin (49.1%)

Calvin University vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Wisconsin is higher than Calvin University (82% vs. 77%)
  • Graduates from University of Wisconsin Madison earn on average $17,800 more per year than Calvin University graduates after ten years. ($64,800 vs. $47,000)
  • University of Wisconsin Madison students graduate with a $4,199 lower median federal student loan debt than Calvin University graduates. ($22,250 vs. $26,449)
  • Wisconsin graduates are paying $43 less per month on federal student loans than Calvin University graduates. ($230 vs. $273)
  • More Wisconsin 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/