Wheaton College vs. Calvin University

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

Wheaton College Calvin University
Location Wheaton, IL Grand Rapids, MI
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 2,799 3,364
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #156 #323
Religious Affiliation Undenominational Christian Reformed Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wheaton.edu calvin.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Wheaton College Calvin University
Tuition (In State) $43,670 $38,370
Tuition (Out of State) $43,670 $38,370
Room & Board $12,390 $11,950
Avg Net Price $31,346 $26,374
Avg Grant Aid $25,196 $27,189
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

Wheaton College Calvin University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,866 4,719
Admitted 1,679 3,365
Acceptance Rate 90% 71.3%
Enrolled % 32.9% 21.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.75 3.84
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 27/32 22/30
SAT Range 1260/1440 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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Wheaton College Calvin University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (9%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Wheaton College Calvin University
Graduation Rate 87% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,300 $47,000
Making Student Loan Payments 90% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $26,449
Median Loan Payment $232 $273

Diversity

Wheaton College Calvin University
% Men 10% 2%
% Women 14% 7%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 74%
% Black 3% 3%
% Hispanic 6% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 3% 10%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

Wheaton College Calvin University
% In-State 21% 51%
% Out-of-State 54% 33%

Campus

Wheaton College Calvin University
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 University is larger than than Wheaton College based on total student enrollment (3,364 students vs. 2,799 students)

Wheaton College vs. Calvin University Cost Comparison

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

  • Wheaton College is 13.8% more expensive to attend than Calvin University for in-state tuition ($43,670.00 vs. $38,370.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 13.8% higher at Wheaton College than Calvin University ($43,670.00 vs. $38,370.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Calvin University than Wheaton College ($26,374 vs. $31,346)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Calvin University are 3.7% lower than costs at Wheaton College ($11,950 vs. $12,390)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Calvin University than Wheaton College (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Calvin University students is 7.9% larger than aid received Wheaton College ($27,189 vs. $25,196)

Wheaton College vs. Calvin University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Wheaton College (1314) is 112 points higher than at Calvin University (1202)
  • Incoming Wheaton College students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (30) than students at Calvin University (27)
  • Accepted freshman Calvin University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Wheaton College (3.75)
  • Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than Calvin University (71.3%)

Wheaton College vs. Calvin University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Wheaton College 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 Wheaton College.

  • The graduation rate at Wheaton College is higher than Calvin University (87% vs. 77%)
  • Graduates from Wheaton College earn on average $7,300 more per year than Calvin University graduates after ten years. ($54,300 vs. $47,000)
  • Wheaton College students graduate with a $3,949 lower median federal student loan debt than Calvin University graduates. ($22,500 vs. $26,449)
  • Wheaton College graduates are paying $41 less per month on federal student loans than Calvin University graduates. ($232 vs. $273)
  • More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Calvin University students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 81%)

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