Calvin College vs. WMU

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

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

Campus

Calvin College 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 College based on total student enrollment (17,000 students vs. 3,231 students)

Calvin College vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Calvin College or WMU?

  • Calvin College 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 College 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 College ($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 College ($11,102 vs. $11,150)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Calvin College than Western Michigan University (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Calvin College students is 288.2% larger than aid received Western Michigan University ($26,448 vs. $6,813)

Calvin College vs. WMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Calvin College (1202) is 172 points higher than at WMU (1030)
  • Incoming Calvin College students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at WMU (22)
  • Accepted freshman Calvin College 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 College (74.2%)

Calvin College vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Calvin College 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 College.

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