Research.com
Calvin University logo

Calvin University

#776 in US ranking Grand Rapids, MI
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

Represent this school?

Update this profile on Research.com

Calvin University award
Calvin University award

Cost

Cost / year
$54,389
Tuition & fees
$40,500
Avg. aid
$26,719
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
71%
SAT range
1083–1330
ACT range
24–30

Outcomes

Graduation rate
74%
Median salary
$47,475
1 yr after graduation

What does Calvin University offer in terms of athletics?

Calvin's varsity teams compete as the Knights in NCAA Division III and the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Varsity participation involves team selection and a competitive schedule; it is distinct from recreational or club participation.

Representative varsity sports include basketball, soccer, cross-country, swimming and diving, volleyball, and track and field. Students interested in sports such as ice hockey, rugby, or ultimate Frisbee should check their current club or recreation status rather than assume that every listed activity is an NCAA team. Campus recreation can offer additional ways to play without joining a varsity roster. NCAA Division III institutions do not award athletic scholarships on the basis of athletic ability, although students may qualify for other forms of aid.

What student groups and Associations are available at Calvin University?

Calvin students can participate in academic, cultural, arts, service, and faith-related organizations. Examples associated with the campus include Dance Guild and Rangeela, a student-led cultural performance tradition.

These groups are different from university offices or degree programs: their activities depend on student leadership and current recognition. Students looking for a particular professional society, identity-based group, service project, or student-government role should use the current student-organization directory to see what is active and how to join. That is more reliable than assuming a group listed in an earlier year still meets on the same schedule.

Who studies at Calvin University?

Calvin's reported total enrollment was 3,681 students. Its entering-student and demographic figures describe particular reporting groups, so they should not all be read as percentages of that institution-wide total.

One reported first-time undergraduate group included 909 students: 560 Michigan residents, 214 students from other U.S. states, and 135 students from foreign countries. The figures show that Calvin draws students from beyond Michigan while retaining a substantial in-state entering population. It also reported 86 transfer-in degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.

Peterson's reported counts include 2,117 White students, 191 Black students, 164 Hispanic or Latino students, and 101 Asian students, among other categories. These counts should be interpreted within that source's enrollment definitions rather than used to infer individual experiences. A reported 14-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio provides a broad measure of instructional staffing, not a promise about the size of any particular class.

How does student life look like at Calvin University?

Student life at Calvin combines a residential campus with a meaningful commuter population and an explicitly Christian institutional identity. Reported figures indicate that about 65% of students live on campus and about 34% commute.

That mix matters for how students plan their days: a commuter may need to schedule time for activities and campus services between classes, while a resident may encounter more programming in the evenings. Calvin reports a health clinic and personal or psychological counseling, alongside student activities and campus recreation. Prospective students should check current hours, appointment procedures, and any eligibility or insurance rules for health services rather than assume that every service is available without charge.

Calvin also has a student-run newspaper, theater activities, and choral groups. First-year orientation and residence-based events can offer ways to meet people, but participation is a choice rather than an academic requirement.

What libraries are available to students at Calvin University?

Hekman Library is Calvin University's main academic library. It offers students a place to study and a starting point for finding scholarly books, journals, and research support.

Students can reserve study rooms, according to reported library information. For a substantial assignment, the library's catalog, online databases, and research assistance are likely to be more useful than a general web search alone. Students needing a specialized work should check the library's current borrowing and interlibrary-loan procedures; remote access to licensed materials may also require a university login. Opening hours and room availability can vary during exams and academic breaks.

Calvin University Student Life for 2027

Total enrollment

3681

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

732

Member of Athletic Associations

NCAA

Total staff

203 full time, 133 part time

Veterans affair office

No

Calvin University Student Body

Undergraduate vs. graduate students

Undergraduate: 3,356
Graduate: 325

Full-time vs. part-time students

Full-time: 3,191
Part-time: 490

Full-time degree-seeking students by gender

Women: 358
Men: 374

Students by race/ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino: 164
Black or African American: 191
White: 2,117
American Indian or Alaska Native: 6
Asian: 101
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 1
Two or more races: 62
Unknown: 43

Calvin University Sports & Athletics

  • Member of NCAA

Varsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).

Sport

Varsity Intramural Aid

Baseball

Men––

Basketball

Both––

Cross-country running

Both––

Football

Men––

Golf

Both––

Soccer

Both––

Softball

Women––

Swimming and diving

Both––

Tennis

Both––

Volleyball

Both––

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

Recently Published Articles