Overview
Calvin University is a less selective private four-year institution in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The school accepts 74.2% of applicants and enrolls 2,921 students.
Admission Statistics
- Acceptance Rate
- 74.2%
- Average SAT
- 1,245
- SAT Range (25th–75th)
- 1,120–1,370
- ACT Composite (avg)
- 28
- Total Enrollment
- 2,921
Your Chances by SAT Score
Your score is above the 75th percentile. You are a competitive applicant.
Your score falls within the middle 50% of admitted students.
Your score is below the 25th percentile. Other parts of your application will need to stand out.
Admission Guide
Calvin University accepts applications through the Common Application or their own application portal, with a priority deadline of December 1 for fall admission. You can apply as late as August 1, but earlier applications receive priority for housing and financial aid consideration.
Engineering and nursing programs maintain more selective admission standards than the university overall. Nursing requires prerequisite courses and has limited spots available each year. Engineering applicants benefit from strong math and science coursework, particularly calculus and physics.
Housing fills quickly, so submit your housing application and deposit soon after your admission acceptance. First-year students must live on campus unless they commute from home within 30 miles of Grand Rapids. The university requires attendance at orientation sessions during the summer before your first semester.
Calvin operates on a 4-1-4 academic calendar with a three-week January term called Interim. During Interim, you take one intensive course, which can include travel opportunities or internships. Plan your course schedule around this unique calendar structure.
The campus sits in Grand Rapids' Knollcrest neighborhood, about 10 minutes from downtown. You need a car or campus shuttle to reach most off-campus destinations. The university provides a shuttle to local shopping areas and downtown Grand Rapids on weekends.
Submit your FAFSA early since Calvin awards aid on a rolling basis. Merit scholarships are automatic based on your academic credentials, but additional scholarships require separate applications with February deadlines. International students must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores and have their transcripts evaluated by a credential evaluation service.
What It Costs If You Get In
- Average Net Price
- $24,783/yr
- Tuition (in-state)
- $38,670
- Students Receiving Aid
- 14%
After You Graduate
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 77.4%
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $58,375/yr
- Freshman Retention Rate
- 88.5%
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Calvin University require SAT or ACT scores for admission?
Calvin University has a test-optional admissions policy. You can choose whether or not to submit standardized test scores with your application.
What is the application deadline for Calvin University?
Calvin University has rolling admissions, meaning they review applications as they receive them. Applications are accepted throughout the year until programs reach capacity.
Can I transfer credits to Calvin University?
Calvin University accepts transfer credits from regionally accredited institutions. Credits must typically earn a grade of C- or higher to transfer, and the university evaluates each transcript individually.
Does Calvin University offer early decision or early action programs?
Calvin University does not offer early decision or early action programs. The school uses rolling admissions instead, reviewing applications continuously throughout the admissions cycle.