Illinois vs. Calvin University

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

Illinois Calvin University
Location Champaign, IL Grand Rapids, MI
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 56,563 3,364
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #120 #323
Religious Affiliation - Christian Reformed Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website illinois.edu calvin.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Illinois Calvin University
Tuition (In State) $12,712 $38,370
Tuition (Out of State) $31,208 $38,370
Room & Board $13,938 $11,950
Avg Net Price $14,297 $26,374
Avg Grant Aid $17,524 $27,189
% Receiving Grant Aid 48% 100%

Admission

Illinois Calvin University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 67,398 4,719
Admitted 29,446 3,365
Acceptance Rate 43.7% 71.3%
Enrolled % 28.3% 21.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.79 3.84
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Exceptional Difficult
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 29/34 22/30
SAT Range 1270/1510 1070/1340
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 Jan 5, 2026

Academics

Illinois Calvin University
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (16%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Illinois Calvin University
Graduation Rate 82% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $66,500 $47,000
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,500 $26,449
Median Loan Payment $211 $273

Diversity

Illinois Calvin University
% Men 21% 2%
% Women 16% 7%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 48% 74%
% Black 6% 3%
% Hispanic 10% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 16% 10%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

Illinois Calvin University
% In-State 73% 51%
% Out-of-State 12% 33%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign is larger than than Calvin University based on total student enrollment (56,563 students vs. 3,364 students)

Illinois vs. Calvin University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois or Calvin University?

  • Calvin University is 201.8% more expensive to attend than Illinois for in-state tuition ($38,370.00 vs. $12,712.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 22.9% higher at Calvin University than University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign ($38,370.00 vs. $31,208.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign than Calvin University ($14,297 vs. $26,374)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Calvin University are 16.6% lower than costs at University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign ($11,950 vs. $13,938)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Calvin University than University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (100% vs. 48%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Calvin University students is 55.2% larger than aid received University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign ($27,189 vs. $17,524)

Illinois vs. Calvin University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (1305) is 103 points higher than at Calvin University (1202)
  • Incoming Illinois students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (29) than students at Calvin University (27)
  • Accepted freshman Calvin University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Illinois (3.79)
  • Calvin University has a higher acceptance rate (71.3%) than Illinois (43.7%)

Illinois vs. Calvin University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Illinois or Calvin University? 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 University and Illinois.

  • The graduation rate at Illinois is higher than Calvin University (82% vs. 77%)
  • Graduates from University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign earn on average $19,500 more per year than Calvin University graduates after ten years. ($66,500 vs. $47,000)
  • University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign students graduate with a $5,949 lower median federal student loan debt than Calvin University graduates. ($20,500 vs. $26,449)
  • Illinois graduates are paying $62 less per month on federal student loans than Calvin University graduates. ($211 vs. $273)
  • More Calvin University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 78%)

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