NKU vs. Calvin College

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

NKU Calvin College
Location Highland Heights, KY Grand Rapids, MI
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 15,801 3,231
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #805 #284
Religious Affiliation - Christian Reformed Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu calvin.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Calvin College
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $38,370
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $38,370
Room & Board $11,248 $11,150
Avg Net Price $7,259 $25,775
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $26,448
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

NKU Calvin College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 4,079
Admitted 5,939 3,027
Acceptance Rate 86% 74.2%
Enrolled % 27.6% 20.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.84
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 25/30
SAT Range 1030/1290 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 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

NKU Calvin College
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

NKU Calvin College
Graduation Rate 37% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $47,000
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $26,449
Median Loan Payment $257 $273

Diversity

NKU Calvin College
% Men 36% 46%
% Women 64% 54%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 74%
% Black 7% 3%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 3% 10%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

NKU Calvin College
% In-State 66% 51%
% Out-of-State 26% 33%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Calvin College based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 3,231 students)

NKU vs. Calvin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Calvin College?

  • Calvin College is 275.9% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($38,370.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 87.5% higher at Calvin College than Northern Kentucky University ($38,370.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Calvin College ($7,259 vs. $25,775)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Calvin College are 0.9% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($11,150 vs. $11,248)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University as Calvin College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Calvin College students is 134.6% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($26,448 vs. $11,275)

NKU vs. Calvin College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Calvin College (1202) is 134 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming Calvin College students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Calvin College students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Calvin College (74.2%)

NKU vs. Calvin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU 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 NKU.

  • The graduation rate at Calvin College is higher than Northern Kentucky University (77% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Calvin College earn on average $7,300 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $1,499 lower median federal student loan debt than Calvin College graduates. ($24,950 vs. $26,449)
  • NKU graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than Calvin College graduates. ($257 vs. $273)
  • More Calvin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 53%)

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