Calvin University

Calvin’s academic identity blends Christian conviction with liberal arts breadth—students must take courses across disciplines, a structure one Reddit reviewer praised for creating 'well-rounded' graduates. The university offers 100+ majors, from psychology (the most popular, at 6% of degrees) to niche STEM programs with 'high-tech' research opportunities. Small classes are the norm, and 90% of faculty hold terminal degrees. The School of STEM emphasizes hands-on learning, while the humanities and arts (like visual/performing arts, at 5% of majors) thrive within a framework that sees all disciplines as avenues for 'Christ’s renewal of the world.'

Life at Calvin orbits around its tight-knit, faith-driven community: 64% of students live on the compact, walkable campus, where activities—from chapel services to student-run events—frame social life. The university’s 'in the world, but not of the world' ethos shapes a culture that engages mainstream trends while filtering them through a Reformed lens. Niche reviewers call the campus 'safe and beautiful,' and the Student Life division explicitly aims to 'disciple, develop and equip students' via co-curricular programs. Sports (Division III) and arts add texture, but the vibe is more earnest than rah-rah—think late-night dorm theology debates over coffee.

Calvin punches above its weight in graduate success: 77% of students finish within eight years (top 15% nationally), and 99.5% land jobs or enter grad school. Early-career earnings average $36,427—modest for liberal arts grads, but debt repayment rates outpace national norms, per federal data. The university credits intentional retention efforts for lifting graduation rates from 74% to 77% in recent years. Money Magazine named Calvin a 2022 'Best College' for value, noting its balance of cost and outcomes.

At $55,770 sticker price, Calvin isn’t cheap—but 100% of undergrads receive aid, slicing the average net price?Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. to $25,775. The university doles out $87M yearly in scholarships and grants, with merit awards up to $22,000 (guaranteed for 3.0+ GPAs). Need-based aid?Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements. and work-study fill gaps, and the school’s loan repayment stats suggest students borrow prudently. The net price calculator factors in both academic and need-based awards, though families should note Grand Rapids’ modest cost of living offsets some expense.

Calvin carves a unique niche: a Reformed Christian university that takes intellectual inquiry seriously, where STEM labs and art studios operate under the same theological framework as chapel services. Its 71% acceptance rate?Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. makes it more accessible than elite Christian schools like Wheaton, yet its 77% graduation rate rivals many secular liberal arts colleges. The required cross-disciplinary curriculum ensures engineers read poetry and poets study biology—a rarity in an era of hyper-specialization. For students seeking a faith-based education that doesn’t retreat from academic rigor or cultural engagement, Calvin delivers at a surprisingly manageable net cost.