Calvin College Admissions

Calvin College Admissions Overview:

Calvin College requires prospective students to submit scores from the SAT or ACT as part of their application--both are accepted equally, with neither preferred over the other. Calvin is a fairly selective college. About one-quarter of those who apply will not be accepted. Students applying to Calvin can use the school's application or the Common Application. They must also send in high school transcripts and an academic recommendation. If you have questions, you can always call or email the admissions office, and interested students are encouraged to visit the campus. 

Admissions Data (2016):

• Calvin College Acceptance Rate: 75%
• GPA, SAT and ACT Graph for Calvin Admissions
• Test Scores -- 25th / 75th Percentile
  • SAT Critical Reading: 520 / 635
  • SAT Math: 530 / 650
  • SAT Writing: - / -
    • What these SAT numbers mean
    • Compare top Michigan colleges SAT scores
  • ACT Composite: 23 / 29
  • ACT English: 23 / 31
  • ACT Math: 23 / 29
    • What these ACT numbers mean
    • Compare top Michigan colleges ACT scores

Calvin College Description:

Calvin College is a comprehensive private liberal arts college named after John Calvin and affiliated with the Reformed Christian Church. Calvin offers traditional fields in the liberal arts and sciences as well as programs in professional areas such as business, education, engineering and nursing. The college has a 12 to 1 student / faculty ratio, and the school's faculty are all committed to integrating faith with education. The college's 390-acre campus is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and features a 90-acre ecological preserve. In athletics, the Calvin Knights compete in the NCAA Division III Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Popular sports include track and field, swimming, soccer, basketball, and golf.

Enrollment (2016):

• Total Enrollment: 3,918 (3,806 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 46% Male / 54% Female
• 95% Full-time

Costs (2016 - 17):

• Tuition and Fees: $31,730
• Books: $1,100 (why so much?)
• Room and Board: $9,840
• Other Expenses: $2,600
• Total Cost: $45,270

Calvin College Financial Aid (2015 - 16):

• Percentage of Students Receiving Aid: 100%
• Percentage of Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 99%
  • Loans: 57%
• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $18,205
  • Loans: $6,861

Academic Programs:

• Most Popular Majors: Accounting, Biology, Business, Elementary Education, Engineering, English, Health Education, Nursing, Psychology, Social Work, Spanish

Retention and Graduation Rates:

• First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 85%
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 52%
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 77%

Intercollegiate Athletic Programs:

• Men's Sports: Soccer, Tennis, Swimming and Diving, Track and Field, Basketball, Baseball, Lacrosse, Golf
• Women's Sports: Basketball, Soccer, Lacrosse, Volleyball, Softball, Golf, Track and Field

Data Source:

National Center for Educational Statistics

If You Like Calvin College, You May Also Like These Schools:

• University of Michigan - Ann Arbor: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT Graph
• Grove City College: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT Graph
• Valparaiso University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT Graph
• Alma College: Profile 
• Hope College: Profile 
• Western Michigan University: Profile 
• Taylor University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT Graph
• Albion College: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT Graph
• Gordon College - Massachusetts: Profile 
• Trinity Christian College: Profile 
• Cedarville University: Profile 

Calvin and the Common Application

Calvin College uses the Common Application. These articles can help guide you:

• Common Application essay tips and samples
• Short answer tips and samples
• Supplemental essay tips and samples