Get to know us

While the full Calvin experience can’t be reduced to rankings and awards, they do tell part of our story. Here are some of the most important things you should know about our community:

Related pages

 

General

  • Founded 1876
  • Interim President Greg Elzinga
  • Mascot Joust the Knight
  • School colors Maroon and gold
  • Location Grand Rapids, Mich. | Map
  • Campus 400 acres
  • Motto “My heart I offer to you Lord, promptly and sincerely”
  • Church Affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA)
  • Membership Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU)
  • Organization Calvin University is a Section 501(c)(3) tax exempt, nonprofit organization

 

Student body profile 2023–2024

  • Total enrollment 3,364
  • Male 46%
  • Female 54%
  • U.S. ethnic minorities 18%
  • International students 13%
  • First-year (Freshmen) acceptance rate 74%

 

Academics 2023–2024

  • Majors, minors, and programs 113
  • Top majors and programs business, nursing, engineering, education, psychology, computer science, biology, speech pathology, biochemistry, kinesiology, world languages
  • Student/faculty ratio 12:1
  • Average class size 22
  • Faculty with highest degree 84%
  • Graduate programs 22

What would you like to study?

 

Costs 2024–2025

  • Tuition $39,350
  • Housing $5,150
  • Food (19 meal plan included) $6,970
  • Books and supplies *$1,300
  • Personal living expenses *$1,500
  • Transportation *$1,000–$1,500

*Estimated costs. For more information, visit Financial Services »

Financial Aid

  • Calvin University students receiving financial aid 100%
  • Annual amount awarded to students in scholarships, grants, loans, and work study $87 million
  • Number of on-campus student jobs +1,000

Learn other ways Calvin helps you can cut the price tag »

 

Athletics

  • Affiliations MIAA, NCAA III, ACHA (hockey)
  • Varsity teams 25
  • NCAA Division III National Titles 11
  • MIAA titles since 2000 158
  • Academic All-Americans 158 (Top 10 among Division III institutions)
  • Intramural, club sport, and group fitness options 60
  • Intramural participation 50% of the student body

Fearlessly pursue excellence, athletics »

 

Student Life

  • First- and second-year students living on campus 92%
  • Residence halls 6 residence halls and 8 apartments
  • Living-learning communities 4
  • Student organizations 48
  • Service-learning participation 99%

So much to experience, student life »

 

Outcomes

  • Graduates employed or in graduate school (2022) 99.6%
  • Internships reported (2022) 83.6%
  • Science graduates who go on to earn PhDs Top 5% among baccalaureate institutions

Dig deeper, outcomes of a Calvin education »