Transylvania University vs. Calvin College

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

Transylvania University Calvin College
Location Lexington, KY Grand Rapids, MI
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 979 3,231
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #284
Religious Affiliation Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Christian Reformed Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website transy.edu calvin.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Transylvania University Calvin College
Tuition (In State) $41,900 $38,370
Tuition (Out of State) $41,900 $38,370
Room & Board $12,750 $11,150
Avg Net Price $25,767 $25,775
Avg Grant Aid $31,355 $26,448
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Transylvania University Calvin College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,781 4,079
Admitted 1,617 3,027
Acceptance Rate 90.8% 74.2%
Enrolled % 17.4% 20.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.77 3.84
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/29 25/30
SAT Range 1120/1360 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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Transylvania University Calvin College
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Foreign Languages (11%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Transylvania University Calvin College
Graduation Rate 70% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,700 $47,000
Making Student Loan Payments 75% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $26,449
Median Loan Payment $279 $273

Diversity

Transylvania University Calvin College
% Men 44% 46%
% Women 56% 54%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 74%
% Black 3% 3%
% Hispanic 6% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 3% 10%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

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

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Calvin College is larger than than Transylvania University based on total student enrollment (3,231 students vs. 979 students)

Transylvania University vs. Calvin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Transylvania University or Calvin College?

  • Transylvania University is 9.2% more expensive to attend than Calvin College for in-state tuition ($41,900.00 vs. $38,370.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 9.2% higher at Transylvania University than Calvin College ($41,900.00 vs. $38,370.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Transylvania University than Calvin College ($25,767 vs. $25,775)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Calvin College are 14.3% lower than costs at Transylvania University ($11,150 vs. $12,750)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Transylvania University as Calvin College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Transylvania University students is 18.6% larger than aid received Calvin College ($31,355 vs. $26,448)

Transylvania University vs. Calvin College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Calvin College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Transylvania University (3.77)
  • Transylvania University has a higher acceptance rate (90.8%) than Calvin College (74.2%)

Transylvania University vs. Calvin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Transylvania University 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 Transylvania University.

  • The graduation rate at Calvin College is higher than Transylvania University (77% vs. 70%)
  • Graduates from Transylvania University earn on average $1,700 more per year than Calvin College graduates after ten years. ($48,700 vs. $47,000)
  • Calvin College students graduate with a $551 lower median federal student loan debt than Transylvania University graduates. ($26,449 vs. $27,000)
  • Calvin College graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than Transylvania University graduates. ($273 vs. $279)
  • More Calvin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Transylvania University students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 75%)

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