Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI
Calvin, founded in 1876, is a church-affiliated, liberal arts college. Its 370-acre campus is located in a suburban area of Grand Rapids.
Website: www.calvin.edu/
Admission
- Entrance Difficulty
- Moderately difficult
- Overall Admission Rate
- 79% of 3,847 applicants were admitted
- Early Action Offered
- No
- Early Decision Offered
- No
- Regular Admission Deadline
- Rolling
Qualifications of Enrolled Freshmen
- Average GPA
- 3.80
- SAT Math
- 580-690 range of middle 50%
- SAT EBRW
-
625 average
570-680 range of middle 50% - ACT Composite
- 27 average
24-30 range of middle 50%
Money Matters
- Cost of Attendance
- $50,900
- Tuition and Fees
- $36,300
- Room and Board
- $10,600
- Average Percent of Need Met
- 76%
- Average Freshman Award
- $25,639
- Average Indebtedness of 2018 Graduates
- $29,768
Academics
- Academic Calendar System
- 4-1-4
- General Education/Core Curriculum
- Required for most or all students
- Full-Time Faculty Teaching Undergraduates
- 232
- Regular Class Size
- 2-9 students: 7% of classes
10-19 students: 27% of classes
20-29 students: 39% of classes
30-39 students: 23% of classes
40-49 students: 4% of classes
50-99 students: 1% of classes
Campus Life
- Grand Rapids Population
- 192,294
- Nearest Metropolitan Area
- Grand Rapids, MI
- Freshman Housing Guarantee
- Freshmen are guaranteed housing
- Students in College Housing
- 58% of all students
- Athletic Conferences
- NCAA Division III
- Mascot
- Knights
- Sororities
- Fraternities
Students
- Ethnicity of Students from U.S.
- 0.2% American Indian/Alaskan Native
5.9% Asian
4.0% Black/African-American
5.9% Hispanic/Latino
3.6% Multi-race (not Hispanic/Latino)
0.0% Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
78.3% White
2.2% Unknown - International Students
- 12.2% from 64 countries
- First-Year Students Returning
- 87.0%
- Students Graduating Within 4 Years
- 62.0%
- Graduates Offered Full-Time Employment Within 6 Months
- 75%
- Graduates Pursuing Advanced Study Directly
- 25.0%
Freshman Admission Requirements
Entrance Difficulty
Moderately Difficult: More than 75% of freshmen were in the top 50% of their high school class and scored over 1010 on the SAT I or over 18 on the ACT; about 85% or fewer of all applicants accepted.
High School Preparation
- High School Graduation
- High school diploma required and GED is accepted
- High School Program
- College preparatory program is required
High School Units Required or Recommended
Subject | Required Units | Recommended Units |
---|---|---|
English | 3 | 4 |
Mathematics | 3 | |
Science | 2 | |
Foreign Language | 2 | |
Social Studies | 2 | 3 |
History | ||
Academic Electives | 3 |
Examinations
Exam | Required Units | Scores Due in Admissions Office |
---|---|---|
SAT or ACT | Required | August 15 |
SAT Only | ||
ACT Only | ||
SAT and SAT Subject Tests, or ACT | ||
SAT Subject Tests Only | ||
SAT Essay Component Policy | Accepted with or without essay component | |
ACT Writing Test Policy | Accepted with or without writing component | |
ACT Writing Test Policy | SAT: No policy as of now ACT: No policy as of now |
Applying for Admission
Admissions Office
- Address
- 3201 Burton Street, SE
- City, State, Zip
- Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4388
- Phone
- (616) 526-6106
- Fax
- (616) 526-8551
- admissions@calvin.edu
Application Dates and Fees
- Regular Admisson Deadline
- Rolling
- Application Fee
- $35
- Application Fee Waiver
- Available
- Regular Admission Notification
- Rolling
- Accept Offer of Admission
- By May 1 or within 4 weeks if notified after May 1
- Waiting List Used
- No
- Defer Admission
- Student can defer admission
- Transfer Admission
- Transfer applications accepted
Early Admission
- Early Decision Offered
- No
- Early Decision Deadline
- Early Decision Notification
- Early Action Offered
- No
- Early Action Deadline
- Early Action Notification
Application Form
- Common Application
- Accepted
- Universal College Application
- Not accepted
- Electronic Application
- Available
Other Application Requirements
- Interview
- Not Required
- Essay or Personal Statement
- Required for all freshmen
- Letters of Recommendation
- 1 required for all freshmen
- Other
- Financial Need
- Financial need is not a consideration in the admissions process
Selection of Students
Factor | Very Important | Important | Considered | Not Considered |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rigor of Secondary School Record | X | |||
Academic GPA | X | |||
Standardized Tests | X | |||
Class Rank | X | |||
Recommendations | X | |||
Essay | X | |||
Interview | X | |||
Level of Applicant's Interest | X | |||
Extracurricular Activities | X | |||
Volunteer Work | X | |||
Particular Talent/Ability | X | |||
Character/Personal Qualities | X | |||
First Generation to Attend College | X | |||
State Residency | X | |||
Geographic Residence | X | |||
Relation with Alumnus | X | |||
Religious Affiliation/Commitment | X | |||
Ethnicity | X | |||
Work Experience | X |
Profile of Fall Admission
- Overall Admission Rate
- 79% of 3,847 applicants were admitted
- Women
- 80% of 2,171 applicants were admitted
- Men
- 78% of 1,676 applicants were admitted
- Students Enrolled
- 985 (32%) of 3,038 admitted students enrolled
- Women
- 473 (27%) of 1,735 admitted students enrolled
- Men
- 447 (34%) of 1,303 admitted students enrolled
- Early Decision Admission Rate
- Early Action Admission Rate
- Students Offered Wait List
- Students Accepting Wait List Position
- Students Admitted From Wait List
Grade Point Average of Enrolled Freshmen (4.0 scale)
- Average GPA
- 3.80
- 3.75 and Above
- 55%
- 3.50 - 3.74
- 17%
- 3.25 - 3.49
- 13%
- 3.00 - 3.24
- 9%
- 2.50 - 2.99
- 5%
- 2.00 - 2.49
- 1%
SAT Scores of Enrolled Freshmen
- SAT Math
- 580-690 range of middle 50%
- Score of 700 - 800
- 23%
- Score of 600 - 700
- 43%
- Score of 500 - 600
- 31%
- Score of 400 - 500
- 4%
- Score of 300 - 400
- 0%
- Score of 200 - 300
- 0%
- SAT EBRW
- 625 average
570-680 range of middle 50% - Score of 700 - 800
- 18%
- Score of 600 - 700
- 47%
- Score of 500 - 600
- 30%
- Score of 400 - 500
- 4%
- Score of 300 - 400
- 0%
- Score of 200 - 300
- 0%
ACT Scores of Enrolled Freshmen
- ACT Composite
- 27 average
24-30 range of middle 50% - Score of 30 - 36
- 32%
- Score of 24 - 29
- 46%
- Score of 18 - 23
- 21%
- Score of 12 - 17
- 1%
- Score of 6 - 11
- 0%
- Score of 5 or Below
- 0%
Other Qualifications of Enrolled Freshmen
- High School Class Rank
- Top tenth: 31%
Top quarter: 58%
Top half: 83% - National Merit Scholar
- 1%
- Valedictorian
- 1%
- Class President
- Not reported
- Student Government Officer
- Not reported
Tuition and Expenses
- Cost of Attendance
- $50,900
- Tuition and Fees
- $36,300
- Room and Board
- $10,600
- Books and Supplies
- $1,300
- Other Expenses
- $2,700
- Payment Plans
Applying for Financial Aid
Financial Aid Office
- Web Site
- Financial Aid Web Site
- Net Price Calculator URL
- Net Price Calculator URL
Application Process
- Application Deadline
- Priority deadline November 15
- Award Notification
- On a rolling basis beginning December 15
- Methodology for Awarding Institutional Aid
- Federal and Institutional Methodologies
Forms Required | Cost to File |
---|---|
FAFSA Code is 002241 |
Free |
Profile of 2018 - 19 Financial Aid
Freshman
- Financial Aid Applicants
- 739 (89.8%) of freshmen
- Found to Have Financial Need
- 508 (73.2%) of applicants
- Received Financial Aid
- 508 (100.0%) of applicants with financial need
- Need Fully Met
- 112 (20.1%) of aid recipients
- Average Percent of Need Met
- 76%
- Average Award
- $25,639
- Need-Based Gift
- Received by 508 (100.0%) of aid recipients, average amount $20,683
- Need-Based Self-Help
- Received by 434 (83.8%) of aid recipients, average amount $3,394
- Merit-Based Gift
- Received by 65 (14.6%) of aid recipients
- Merit-Based Gift
- 313 (33.8%) of freshmen had no financial need and received merit aid, average amount $15,115
All Undergraduates
- Financial Aid Applicants
- 2,776 (79.9%) of undergraduates
- Found to Have Financial Need
- 2,047 (73.7%) of applicants
- Received Financial Aid
- 2,042 (99.9%) of applicants with financial need
- Need Fully Met
- 406 (17.6%) of aid recipients
- Average Percent of Need Met
- 73%
- Average Award
- $24,606
- Need-Based Gift
- Received by 2,041 (99.9%) of aid recipients, average amount $18,797
- Need-Based Self-Help
- Received by 1,759 (87.8%) of aid recipients, average amount $4,685
- Merit-Based Gift
- Received by 251 (11.6%) of aid recipients
- Merit-Based Gift
- 1,289 (34.9%) of undergraduates had no financial need and received merit aid, average amount $13,011
Borrowing
- 2018 Graduates Who Took Out Loans
- 60%
- Average Indebtedness of 2018 Graduates
- $29,768
- Parents of Students Receiving Aid
- 5.0%
- Parents of Students Not Receiving Aid
- Not reported
Financial Aid Programs
Loans
- Federal Loans
- Direct subsidized Stafford loans, direct unsubsidized Stafford loans, direct PLUS loans
- State Loans
- Available
- Other Loans
- College/university loans, Alternative loans
Scholarships and Grants
- Need-Based Available
- Federal Pell grants, SEOG, State scholarships, Institutional scholarships, Private scholarships
- Non-Need–Based Available
- Academic scholarships, Special characteristics (minority, religious affiliation, other scholarships)
Non-Need Awards
- Academic Interest/Achievement Award Areas
- Not reported
- Number of Awards
- 2,755
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
- Creative Arts/Performance Award Areas
- Not reported
- Number of Awards
- Not reported
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
- Special Achievements/Activities Award Areas
- Not reported
- Number of Awards
- Not reported
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
- Special Characteristics Award Areas
- Children and Siblings of Alumni, Children of Faculty/Staff, Ethnic Background, First-Generation College Students, International Students, Members of Minorities, Religious Affiliation
- Number of Awards
- 2,941
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
Employment
- Work-Study Programs
- Federal work study available, other work study available
- Average Earnings from On-Campus Employment
- $1,597
- Academic Calendar System
- 4-1-4
- Summer Session
- Offered
- General Catalog/Bulletin
- Online Catalog
Undergraduate Education
Undergraduate Majors
- Accounting
- Actuarial Science
- Art Teacher Education
- Art/Art Studies, General
- Asian Studies/Civilization
- Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
- Bible/Biblical Studies
- Bilingual and Multilingual Education
- Biochemistry
- Biological and Physical Sciences
- Biology Teacher Education
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General
- Business Administration and Management, General
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry Teacher Education
- Chemistry, General
- Chinese Language and Literature
- Civil Engineering, General
- Classical, Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies and Archaeology
- Computer Science
- Computer Systems Analysis/Analyst
- Development Economics and International Development
- Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia
- Early Childhood Education and Teaching
- Earth Science Teacher Education
- Economics, General
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Elementary Education and Teaching
- Engineering, General
- English Language and Literature, General
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Studies
- Finance, General
- Fine/Studio Arts, General
- Foreign Language Teacher Education
- French Language Teacher Education
- French Language and Literature
- General Literature
- Geography
- Geography Teacher Education
- Geology/Earth Science, General
- German Language Teacher Education
- German Language and Literature
- Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
- Graphic Design
- Health Communication
- History Teacher Education
- History, General
- Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
- International Relations and Affairs
- Japanese Language and Literature
- Kinesiology and Exercise Science
- Linguistics
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General
- Mass Communication/Media Studies
- Mathematical Statistics and Probability
- Mathematics Teacher Education
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Mathematics, General
- Mechanical Engineering
- Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General
- Music History, Literature, and Theory
- Music Performance, General
- Music Theory and Composition
- Music, General
- Natural Sciences
- Occupational Therapy/Therapist
- Organizational Communication, General
- Philosophy
- Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
- Physical Sciences
- Physics, General
- Political Science and Government, General
- Pre-Dentistry Studies
- Pre-Law Studies
- Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies
- Pre-Optometry Studies
- Pre-Pharmacy Studies
- Pre-Physical Therapy Studies
- Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies
- Pre-Veterinary Studies
- Psychology, General
- Public Health, General
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
- Religion/Religious Studies
- Rhetoric and Composition
- Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education
- Secondary Education and Teaching
- Social Sciences, General
- Social Studies Teacher Education
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Spanish Language Teacher Education
- Spanish Language and Literature
- Special Education and Teaching, General
- Speech Communication and Rhetoric
- Sport and Fitness Administration/Management
- Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
- Theology/Theological Studies
- Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy
- Voice and Opera
- Writing, General
- Most Popular Disciplines
- Education, Health professions and related sciences, Business/marketing
- Combined Liberal Arts/Professional Degree Programs
- Occupational therapy with Washington University in St. Louis
- Special Programs
- Accelerated program, Student-designed major, Distance learning, Double major, Honors program, Independent study, Internships, Study abroad, Summer session
- Study Abroad
- Offered
- Online Degrees
- No online degree programs
Curriculum and Graduation Requirements
- General Education/Core Curriculum
- Required for most or all students
- Computer
- Students not required to own/lease a computer
- Foreign Language
- Required
- Math/Science
- Required for all students
Faculty and Instruction
- Full-Time Faculty
- 232
- Part-Time Faculty
- 107
- Full-Time Faculty with Ph.D./Terminal Degree
- 62%
- Regular Class Size
- 2-9 students: 7% of classes
10-19 students: 27% of classes
20-29 students: 39% of classes
30-39 students: 23% of classes
40-49 students: 4% of classes
50-99 students: 1% of classes - Discussion Section/Lab Class Size
- 2-9 students: 14% of discussion sections/labs
10-19 students: 35% of discussion sections/labs
20-29 students: 43% of discussion sections/labs
30-39 students: 6% of discussion sections/labs
50-59 students: 1% of discussion sections/labs
Advanced Placement
- International Baccalaureate
- Accepted
- Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations
- Accepted for placement and credit
- Sophomore Standing
- Available through AP examinations
Academic Resources
- Library Available on Campus
- Yes
- Holdings
- 948,699
- Computer Ownership
- Students not required to own/lease a computer
- Computers Available on Campus
- 1025
- Internet/E-mail Access
- Not reported
Academic Support Services
- Remedial Instruction
- Offered
- Tutoring
- Available
- Services for Learning Disabled Students
- Available
- Services for Physically Disabled Students
- Hearing impaired services, speech disorders services, visually impaired services, wheelchair access
Graduate/Professional School Education
Master's Degrees Offered
Not reported
Master's Programs of Study
- Not reported
Doctoral Degrees Offered
Not reported
Doctoral Programs of Study
- Not reported
Location and Setting
- Grand Rapids Population
- 192,294
- Nearest Metropolitan Area
- Grand Rapids, MI
- Campus Size
- 400 acres
Weather
- Temperature
- 14.7 average low in January, 78.7 average high in September
- Rain
- 134 rainy days per year
Getting Around
- Campus Map
- Map
- Nearest Bus Station
- 4 mile(s) from campus in Grand Rapids
- Nearest Train Station
- 4 mile(s) from campus in Grand Rapids
Housing
- College Housing
- College offers housing to students
- Types of Housing
- Men only housing, women only housing
- Students in College Housing
- 58% of all students
- Housing Requirements
- Freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus
- Freshman Housing Guarantee
- Freshmen are guaranteed housing
- Students Living Off Campus/Commuting
- Off-Campus Housing Assistance
- Assistance in locating off-campus housing is available
Security
- 24-Hour Emergency Phone/Alarm Devices
- Available
- 24-Hour Security Patrols
- Available
- Late-Night Transport/Escort Services
- Available
- Electronically Operated Housing Entrances
- Available
- Other
Personal Support Services
- Health Service
- Offered
- Personal Counseling
- Offered
- Child Care
- Not offered
Sports and Recreation
Intercollegiate Athletics
- Athletic Conferences
- NCAA Division III
- Mascot
- Knights
- School Colors
- Maroon and gold
Intercollegiate Sports Offered
Sports | Women | Men | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Offered | Scholarships | Offered | Scholarships | |
Baseball | x | |||
Basketball | x | x | ||
Cross-Country Running | x | x | ||
Golf | x | x | ||
Ice Hockey | x | |||
Lacrosse | x | x | ||
Soccer | x | x | ||
Softball | x | |||
Swimming And Diving | x | x | ||
Tennis | x | x | ||
Track And Field | x | x | ||
Triathlon | x | |||
Volleyball | x |
Women's Sports | Offered | Scholarships |
---|---|---|
Baseball | ||
Basketball | x | |
Cross-Country Running | x | |
Golf | x | |
Ice Hockey | ||
Lacrosse | x | |
Soccer | x | |
Softball | x | |
Swimming And Diving | x | |
Tennis | x | |
Track And Field | x | |
Triathlon | x | |
Volleyball | x |
Mens's Sports | Offered | Scholarships |
---|---|---|
Baseball | x | |
Basketball | x | |
Cross-Country Running | x | |
Golf | x | |
Ice Hockey | x | |
Lacrosse | x | |
Soccer | x | |
Softball | ||
Swimming And Diving | x | |
Tennis | x | |
Track And Field | x | |
Triathlon | ||
Volleyball |
- Women's Club Sports
- equestrian sports, rock climbing, rugby, ultimate Frisbee
- Men's Club Sports
- equestrian sports, rock climbing, rugby, ultimate Frisbee, volleyball
Recreational Sports
- Intramural Sports
- badminton, basketball, cross-country running, football, golf, racquetball, rock climbing, sand volleyball, skiing (downhill), soccer, softball, swimming and diving, table tennis, tennis, track and field, volleyball, water polo
Student Activities
- Activities and Organizations
- choral groups, drama theatre, student newspaper, dance guild, pre-health professionals, calvin outdoor recreation, national student speech, language, and hearing association, african students association
- Sororities
- Fraternities
- ROTC
- Army ROTC is offered off campus
Student Body
- Coeducational
- Yes
- All Undergraduates
- 3,625
- Women
- 1,925 (53.1%)
- Men
- 1,700 (46.9%)
- Full-Time Undergraduates
- 3,417
- Ethnicity of Students from U.S.
- 0.2% American Indian/Alaskan Native
5.9% Asian
4.0% Black/African-American
5.9% Hispanic/Latino
3.6% Multi-race (not Hispanic/Latino)
0.0% Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
78.3% White
2.2% Unknown - International Students.
- 12.2% from 64 countries
- Average Age
- 20
- All Graduate Students
- 107
Undergraduate Retention and Graduation
- First-Year Students Returning
- 87.0%
- Students Graduating Within 4 Years
- 62.0%
- Students Graduating Within 5 Years
- 75.6%
- Students Graduating Within 6 Years
- 72.0%
After Graduation
- Graduates Offered Full-Time Employment Within 6 Months
- 75%
- Average Starting Salary
- 75%
- Graduates Pursuing Advanced Study Directly
- 25.0%
- Disciplines Pursued
- Business 0.9%
Engineering 0.4%
Law 1.5%
Theology 2%
Dentistry 0.4%
Arts and Sciences 5%
Medicine 2%
Veterinary Medicine 0.2%
Education 2.2%
Other 5.4%
A portion of the College Profile data is provided under license by:
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