Calvin University vs. WMU

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

Calvin University WMU
Location Grand Rapids, MI Kalamazoo, MI
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 3,231 17,000
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #284 #634
Religious Affiliation Christian Reformed Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website calvin.edu wmich.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Calvin University WMU
Tuition (In State) $38,370 $14,523
Tuition (Out of State) $38,370 $18,154
Room & Board $11,150 $11,102
Avg Net Price $25,775 $20,030
Avg Grant Aid $26,448 $6,813
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 93%

Admission

Calvin University WMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,079 20,501
Admitted 3,027 17,334
Acceptance Rate 74.2% 84.6%
Enrolled % 20.4% 15.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.5
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 25/30 19/27
SAT Range 1120/1370 990/1220
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

Academics

Calvin University WMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Engineering (6%)

Outcomes

Calvin University WMU
Graduation Rate 77% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $48,900
Making Student Loan Payments 81% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,449 $26,633
Median Loan Payment $273 $275

Diversity

Calvin University WMU
% Men 46% 47%
% Women 54% 53%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 74% 72%
% Black 3% 12%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 10% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Calvin University WMU
% In-State 51% 79%
% Out-of-State 33% 19%

Campus

Calvin University WMU
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

  • Western Michigan University is larger than than Calvin University based on total student enrollment (17,000 students vs. 3,231 students)

Calvin University vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Calvin University or WMU?

  • Calvin University is 164.2% more expensive to attend than WMU for in-state tuition ($38,370.00 vs. $14,523.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 111.4% higher at Calvin University than Western Michigan University ($38,370.00 vs. $18,154.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Michigan University than Calvin University ($20,030 vs. $25,775)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 0.4% lower than costs at Calvin University ($11,102 vs. $11,150)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Calvin University than Western Michigan University (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Calvin University students is 288.2% larger than aid received Western Michigan University ($26,448 vs. $6,813)

Calvin University vs. WMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Calvin University (1202) is 172 points higher than at WMU (1030)
  • Incoming Calvin University students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at WMU (22)
  • Accepted freshman Calvin University students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at WMU (3.5)
  • WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Calvin University (74.2%)

Calvin University vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Calvin University is higher than Western Michigan University (77% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from Western Michigan University earn on average $1,900 more per year than Calvin University graduates after ten years. ($48,900 vs. $47,000)
  • Calvin University students graduate with a $184 lower median federal student loan debt than WMU graduates. ($26,449 vs. $26,633)
  • Calvin University graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than WMU graduates. ($273 vs. $275)
  • More Calvin University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 54%)

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