Mercer vs. Calvin College

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

Mercer Calvin College
Location Macon, GA Grand Rapids, MI
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 8,889 3,231
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #236 #284
Religious Affiliation - Christian Reformed Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mercer.edu calvin.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Mercer Calvin College
Tuition (In State) $39,408 $38,370
Tuition (Out of State) $39,408 $38,370
Room & Board $14,046 $11,150
Avg Net Price $22,087 $25,775
Avg Grant Aid $33,740 $26,448
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Mercer Calvin College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,556 4,079
Admitted 5,643 3,027
Acceptance Rate 74.7% 74.2%
Enrolled % 15.9% 20.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.98 3.84
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 26/31 25/30
SAT Range 1190/1360 1120/1370
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 Jul 1, 2025

Academics

Mercer Calvin College
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Human Services (8%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Mercer Calvin College
Graduation Rate 60% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,300 $47,000
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $26,449
Median Loan Payment $258 $273

Diversity

Mercer Calvin College
% Men 33% 46%
% Women 67% 54%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 48% 74%
% Black 31% 3%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 3% 10%
% Unknown Race 5% 2%

Students

Mercer Calvin College
% In-State 86% 51%
% Out-of-State 13% 33%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Mercer University is larger than than Calvin College based on total student enrollment (8,889 students vs. 3,231 students)

Mercer vs. Calvin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercer or Calvin College?

  • Mercer University is 2.7% more expensive to attend than Calvin College for in-state tuition ($39,408.00 vs. $38,370.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2.7% higher at Mercer than Calvin College ($39,408.00 vs. $38,370.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Mercer University than Calvin College ($22,087 vs. $25,775)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Calvin College are 26% lower than costs at Mercer University ($11,150 vs. $14,046)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Mercer University as Calvin College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 27.6% larger than aid received Calvin College ($33,740 vs. $26,448)

Mercer vs. Calvin College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Mercer University (1217) is 15 points higher than at Calvin College (1202)
  • Incoming Mercer students have at the same average ACT score (27) as students at Calvin College (27)
  • Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Calvin College (3.84)
  • Mercer has a higher acceptance rate (74.7%) than Calvin College (74.2%)

Mercer vs. Calvin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Mercer or Calvin College? 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 Calvin College and Mercer.

  • The graduation rate at Calvin College is higher than Mercer University (77% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from Mercer University earn on average $10,300 more per year than Calvin College graduates after ten years. ($57,300 vs. $47,000)
  • Mercer University students graduate with a $1,449 lower median federal student loan debt than Calvin College graduates. ($25,000 vs. $26,449)
  • Mercer graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than Calvin College graduates. ($258 vs. $273)
  • More Calvin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 45%)

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