St. Mary's College vs. Calvin University

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN 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 St. Mary's College based on total student enrollment (3,681 students vs. 1,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Mary's College is located in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Calvin University is in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting).
• Saint Mary's College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Calvin University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Mary's College 9:1; Calvin University 13:1.

St. Mary's College vs. Calvin University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St. Mary's 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 Calvin University than St. Mary's College ($25,231 vs. $27,865).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Calvin University are 15% lower than at Saint Mary's College ($12,120 vs. $14,260).
• Saint Mary's College is 35.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Calvin University (about $13,880 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $39,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.3% higher at St. Mary's College than at Calvin University (about $13,880 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $39,350.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College as at Calvin University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College students is 33% larger than aid received by Calvin University students ($38,748 vs. $29,123).

St. Mary's College vs. Calvin University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St. Mary's 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 St. Mary's College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College (1230) is 20 points higher than at Calvin University (1210).
• Incoming St. Mary's College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at Calvin University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College 1130/1325; Calvin University 1083/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College 26/30; Calvin University 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St. Mary's College - Test optional; Calvin University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Calvin University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at St. Mary's College (3.83).
• St. Mary's College has a higher acceptance rate (76%) than Calvin University (70.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at St. Mary's College vs. 21.4% at Calvin University.

St. Mary's College vs. Calvin University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St. Mary's 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).

• Saint Mary's College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Calvin University's (77%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Calvin University graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $47,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Calvin University graduates have a $551 lower median loan debt than St. Mary's College graduates ($26,449 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Calvin University graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Mary's College graduates ($273 vs. $279).
• More St. Mary's College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Calvin University students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 81%)

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.