North Central College vs. Calvin University

Deciding between North Central College and Calvin University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

North Central College
Calvin University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • North Central College Naperville, IL
  • Calvin University Grand Rapids, MI
  • Setting
  • North Central College Midsize City
  • Calvin University Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • North Central College 3,003
  • Calvin University 3,681
  • Type
  • North Central College Private 4 Year
  • Calvin University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • North Central College #372
  • Calvin University #299
  • Religious Affiliation
  • North Central College United Methodist
  • Calvin University Christian Reformed Church
  • Status
  • North Central College Non-profit
  • Calvin University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • North Central College
  • Calvin University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • North Central College $45,726
  • Calvin University $39,350
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • North Central College $45,726
  • Calvin University $39,350
  • Room & Board
  • North Central College $14,688
  • Calvin University $12,120
  • Average Net Price
  • North Central College $23,276
  • Calvin University $25,231
  • Average Grant Aid
  • North Central College $34,056
  • Calvin University $29,123
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • North Central College 100%
  • Calvin University 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • North Central College 4,596
  • Calvin University 5,723
  • Admitted
  • North Central College 3,554
  • Calvin University 4,058
  • Acceptance Rate
  • North Central College 77.3%
  • Calvin University 70.9%
  • Enrolled
  • North Central College 13.6%
  • Calvin University 21.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • North Central College 1180
  • Calvin University 1210
  • Typical ACT score
  • North Central College 26
  • Calvin University 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • North Central College 3.6
  • Calvin University 3.84
  • Typical High School Grades
  • North Central College A-
  • Calvin University A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • North Central College Challenging
  • Calvin University Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • North Central College
  • Calvin University Low
  • ACT Range
  • North Central College 24/29
  • Calvin University 24/30
  • SAT Range
  • North Central College 1055/1310
  • Calvin University 1083/1330
  • Submit Test Scores
  • North Central College Test optional
  • Calvin University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • North Central College Apr 15, 2027
  • Calvin University
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • North Central College 12:1
  • Calvin University 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • North Central College
    • Business (28%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Calvin University
    • Business (13%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • North Central College 64%
  • Calvin University 77%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • North Central College $48,900
  • Calvin University $47,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • North Central College 74%
  • Calvin University 81%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • North Central College $25,000
  • Calvin University $26,449
  • Median Loan Payment
  • North Central College $258
  • Calvin University $273
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • North Central College 45%
  • Calvin University 47%
  • % Women
  • North Central College 55%
  • Calvin University 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • North Central College Low
  • Calvin University Low
  • HBCU
  • North Central College No
  • Calvin University No
  • % White
  • North Central College 71%
  • Calvin University 74%
  • % Asian
  • North Central College 2%
  • Calvin University 4%
  • % Black
  • North Central College 4%
  • Calvin University 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • North Central College 11%
  • Calvin University 4%
  • % Native American
  • North Central College 0%
  • Calvin University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • North Central College 0%
  • Calvin University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • North Central College 3%
  • Calvin University 4%
  • % International
  • North Central College 2%
  • Calvin University 10%
  • % Unknown Race
  • North Central College 7%
  • Calvin University 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • North Central College 80%
  • Calvin University 62%
  • % Out-of-State
  • North Central College 16%
  • Calvin University 24%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • North Central College Yes
  • Calvin University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • North Central College No
  • Calvin University No
  • Meal Plan
  • North Central College Yes
  • Calvin University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • North Central College Yes
  • Calvin University No
  • Daycare Facility
  • North Central College No
  • Calvin University No

Comparable Facts

Compare North Central College in Naperville, IL with Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Calvin University is larger than North Central College based on total student enrollment (3,681 students vs. 3,003 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • North Central College is located in Naperville, IL (Midsize City setting); Calvin University is in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting).
  • North Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Calvin University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: North Central College 12:1; Calvin University 13:1.

North Central College vs. Calvin University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Central College or Calvin University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Central College than Calvin University ($23,276 vs. $25,231).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Calvin University are 17.5% lower than at North Central College ($12,120 vs. $14,688).
  • North Central College is 16.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Calvin University (about $6,376 more per year; $45,726.00 vs. $39,350.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 16.2% higher at North Central College than at Calvin University (about $6,376 more per year; $45,726.00 vs. $39,350.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at North Central College as at Calvin University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Central College students is 16.9% larger than aid received by Calvin University students ($34,056 vs. $29,123).

North Central College vs. Calvin University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, North Central College or Calvin University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Calvin University and North Central College.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Calvin University (1210) is 30 points higher than at North Central College (1180).
  • Incoming Calvin University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at North Central College).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Central College 1055/1310; Calvin University 1083/1330.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Central College 24/29; Calvin University 24/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: North Central College - Test optional; Calvin University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: North Central College Apr 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Calvin University students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at North Central College (3.6).
  • North Central College has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than Calvin University (70.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at North Central College vs. 21.4% at Calvin University.

North Central College vs. Calvin University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for North Central College and Calvin University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Calvin University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than North Central College's (64%).
  • Graduates from North Central College earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Calvin University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $47,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, North Central College graduates have a $1,449 lower median loan debt than Calvin University graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,449).
  • Among borrowers, North Central College graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Calvin University graduates ($258 vs. $273).
  • More Calvin University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Central College students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.