Iowa vs. Calvin University

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

Iowa Calvin University
Location Iowa City, IA Grand Rapids, MI
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 30,015 3,231
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #224 #284
Religious Affiliation - Christian Reformed Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uiowa.edu calvin.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Iowa Calvin University
Tuition (In State) $8,711 $38,370
Tuition (Out of State) $30,674 $38,370
Room & Board $11,476 $11,150
Avg Net Price $19,587 $25,775
Avg Grant Aid $9,959 $26,448
% Receiving Grant Aid 82% 100%

Admission

Iowa Calvin University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 25,729 4,079
Admitted 22,128 3,027
Acceptance Rate 86% 74.2%
Enrolled % 23.4% 20.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.81 3.84
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/28 25/30
SAT Range 1130/1340 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 May 1, 2025

Academics

Iowa Calvin University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Iowa Calvin University
Graduation Rate 71% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $59,800 $47,000
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,616 $26,449
Median Loan Payment $223 $273

Diversity

Iowa Calvin University
% Men 44% 46%
% Women 56% 54%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 67% 74%
% Black 3% 3%
% Hispanic 7% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 12% 10%
% Unknown Race 4% 2%

Students

Iowa Calvin University
% In-State 54% 51%
% Out-of-State 45% 33%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Iowa is larger than than Calvin University based on total student enrollment (30,015 students vs. 3,231 students)

Iowa vs. Calvin University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or Calvin University?

  • Calvin University is 340.5% more expensive to attend than Iowa for in-state tuition ($38,370.00 vs. $8,711.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 25.1% higher at Calvin University than University of Iowa ($38,370.00 vs. $30,674.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Iowa than Calvin University ($19,587 vs. $25,775)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Calvin University are 2.9% lower than costs at University of Iowa ($11,150 vs. $11,476)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Calvin University than University of Iowa (100% vs. 82%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Calvin University students is 165.6% larger than aid received University of Iowa ($26,448 vs. $9,959)

Iowa vs. Calvin University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Calvin University (1202) is 38 points higher than at Iowa (1164)
  • Incoming Calvin University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at Iowa (26)
  • Accepted freshman Calvin University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Iowa (3.81)
  • Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Calvin University (74.2%)

Iowa vs. Calvin University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Iowa 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 Iowa.

  • The graduation rate at Calvin University is higher than University of Iowa (77% vs. 71%)
  • Graduates from University of Iowa earn on average $12,800 more per year than Calvin University graduates after ten years. ($59,800 vs. $47,000)
  • University of Iowa students graduate with a $4,833 lower median federal student loan debt than Calvin University graduates. ($21,616 vs. $26,449)
  • Iowa graduates are paying $50 less per month on federal student loans than Calvin University graduates. ($223 vs. $273)
  • More Calvin University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 70%)

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