Calvin University vs. WSU

Should I go to Calvin University or Wayne State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Calvin University or WSU 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. Wayne State University comparison
Calvin University Wayne State University College 3 College 4
Calvin University Wayne State University
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Overview

Calvin University WSU
Location Grand Rapids, MI Detroit, MI
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 3,231 23,630
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #284 #582
Religious Affiliation Christian Reformed Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website calvin.edu wayne.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Calvin University WSU
Tuition (In State) $38,370 $12,933
Tuition (Out of State) $38,370 $29,622
Room & Board $11,150 $11,321
Avg Net Price $25,775 $15,347
Avg Grant Aid $26,448 $10,605
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 96%

Admission

Calvin University WSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,079 14,002
Admitted 3,027 10,547
Acceptance Rate 74.2% 75.3%
Enrolled % 20.4% 24.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.42
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 25/30 21/28
SAT Range 1120/1370 1040/1260
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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Calvin University WSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Calvin University WSU
Graduation Rate 77% 26%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $51,000
Making Student Loan Payments 81% 38%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,449 $22,258
Median Loan Payment $273 $230

Diversity

Calvin University WSU
% Men 46% 40%
% Women 54% 60%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 74% 57%
% Black 3% 19%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 10% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 5%

Students

Calvin University WSU
% In-State 51% 93%
% Out-of-State 33% 3%

Campus

Calvin University WSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Wayne State University is larger than than Calvin University based on total student enrollment (23,630 students vs. 3,231 students)

Calvin University vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Calvin University or WSU?

  • Calvin University is 196.7% more expensive to attend than WSU for in-state tuition ($38,370.00 vs. $12,933.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 29.5% higher at Calvin University than Wayne State University ($38,370.00 vs. $29,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wayne State University than Calvin University ($15,347 vs. $25,775)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Calvin University are 1.5% lower than costs at Wayne State University ($11,150 vs. $11,321)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Calvin University than Wayne State University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Calvin University students is 149.4% larger than aid received Wayne State University ($26,448 vs. $10,605)

Calvin University vs. WSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Calvin University (1202) is 132 points higher than at WSU (1070)
  • Incoming Calvin University students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at WSU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Calvin University students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at WSU (3.42)
  • WSU has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than Calvin University (74.2%)

Calvin University vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Calvin University is higher than Wayne State University (77% vs. 26%)
  • Graduates from Wayne State University earn on average $4,000 more per year than Calvin University graduates after ten years. ($51,000 vs. $47,000)
  • Wayne State University students graduate with a $4,191 lower median federal student loan debt than Calvin University graduates. ($22,258 vs. $26,449)
  • WSU graduates are paying $43 less per month on federal student loans than Calvin University graduates. ($230 vs. $273)
  • More Calvin University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 38%)

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