At $24,783/yr net price, Calvin University graduates earn $58,375/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $24,375/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $24,783 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $99,132 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $58,375/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$24,375/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 77.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,249/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,974/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,973/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,732/yr |
| $110,001+ | $28,027/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering, General. | Bachelor | $65,188 | $22,409 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $61,020 | $18,250 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $60,878 | $36,079 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $57,770 | $25,250 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $57,564 | $23,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $45,980 | $20,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Bachelor | $39,009 | |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $38,337 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $35,060 | $19,500 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | Bachelor | $33,993 |
The Risk Factor
77.4% of students at Calvin University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 23% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Calvin University gives you a solid but not spectacular financial return. With a net price near $24,783 a year and median earnings of $58,375 ten years out, you clear a private-school tuition bill without carrying crushing debt. Median debt of $23,250 stays roughly in line with the first-year earnings you can expect, which keeps repayment manageable for most graduates.
Your major decides the outcome here. Engineering and computer science graduates lead the pack, and computer science does it with the lowest debt of any top program at Calvin. Nursing and accounting land in the middle. Business administration is the weak spot: you earn nearly $20,000 less per year than an engineering graduate while paying the same tuition, so the payoff on that degree is thin. If you enroll for business, you are betting on the region's employers, not on the number itself.
Grand Rapids supports the strong programs. West Michigan has a real base of manufacturing, healthcare, and finance employers, which helps engineering, nursing, and accounting graduates find work close to campus. The 88.49% retention rate and 77.40% graduation rate mean you are likely to finish, which is the single biggest financial risk at any school,paying for years without a degree.
The net price tiers hold a surprise: families earning $48,000 to $75,000 pay more ($21,973) than families under $30,000 ($20,249). If you sit in that middle-income band, budget carefully, because your discount is smaller than lower-income families receive. Families over $110,000 pay close to the full $28,027.
Calvin fits you if you enter a technical, nursing, or accounting track and plan to work in Michigan. If your goal is a general business degree, weigh a cheaper public option before committing to this price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Calvin University worth the cost?
Calvin University offers decent value with graduates earning $58,375 after 10 years and median debt of $23,250. The engineering and computer science programs show strong returns, but other majors may struggle to justify the $24,783 annual net price.
What are the best paying majors at Calvin University?
Engineering leads at $65,188 average salary, followed by computer science at $61,020. These technical programs offer the clearest path to positive ROI, while other majors like nursing and accounting hover around $57,000-$58,000.
How much debt do Calvin University graduates have?
The median debt is $23,250, which is manageable compared to the $58,375 average earnings. However, students in lower-paying majors may face tighter budgets despite the relatively modest debt load.
Does Calvin University provide good financial aid?
The net price of $24,783 suggests reasonable financial aid, bringing costs down from the full sticker price. With a 77% graduation rate, most students complete their degrees, though ROI varies significantly by program choice.