Rangeela is an annual international student cultural showcase at Calvin, which provides students the opportunity to share an aspect of their cultural heritage with the Calvin and greater Grand Rapids community through performance.
International interest in a Calvin University education has never been higher. In fact, a record-setting 20 percent of next year’s incoming class will hail from outside the United States.
“It’s exciting to see the momentum happening at Calvin right now,” said Lauren Jensen, the university’s vice president for enrollment strategy. “To have applicants from more than half of the countries in the world saying they are interested in what Calvin has to offer is remarkable and speaks to the quality of the education we have to offer.”
In 2024, Calvin received applications from students in more than 90 countries, from Canada to Brazil, South Korea to Kenya, South Africa to Ukraine. In total, students from outside the U.S. accounted for nearly one-third of Calvin’s applicant pool.
Raving reviews
International students who just completed their first year at Calvin understand why interest continues to grow. While they frequently mention the benefits of smaller class sizes, the Christ-centered community, the strength of their academic programs, and the sheer volume of international students on campus, what often becomes the determining factor is cost and value—two areas where Calvin rises to the top.
“I compared Calvin to the other colleges I was applying to and was accepted into and Calvin not only had the best price, but also had the best ranking for computer science which is why I picked Calvin,” said Arthur Bellucio Marcondes, from Sao Paulo, Brazil.
“Calvin is known for giving one of the best aid packages to international students and that’s one of the most prioritized criteria when going to college in the United States, said Yeomin Yun, from Chiang Mai, Thailand. “I applied to almost 20 schools and Calvin had the best one [financial aid package].”
In demand domestically and abroad
While Calvin’s incoming class will continue to take shape over the next couple of months, what is clear is international enrollment is up for the fourth straight year. So too is Calvin’s incoming class. In fact, as of today, Calvin is on pace to welcome 17% more first-year students than last year, marking the 2nd consecutive year of double-digit percentage growth.
“We are thrilled that over the next couple of months we will again welcome such a diverse group of students to our community, and we are anticipating an ever more vibrant learning community because of this rich diversity,” said Jensen.
About Calvin University
Founded in 1876, Calvin University is a top-ranked, liberal arts institution that equips its 3,300 students from 48 U.S. states, 55 countries, and five Canadian provinces to think deeply, to act justly, and to live wholeheartedly as Christ’s agents of renewal in the world. Calvin is proud to offer 100+ majors and programs, including a growing number of graduate-level programs. Calvin students engage in intensive internships, community-based service learning, and significant research that results in publishing and presenting alongside world-class faculty.
More info
Whether you are an American citizen living abroad or a citizen of another country (including Canada), our international admissions team is eager to provide you with information and resources that will help you with the admissions process and your transition to the U.S. and to Calvin.
Contact us
Phone: (616) 526-6106
Toll free: (800) 688-0122
Fax: (616) 526-6777
Email: intladm@calvin.edu
Chat with an international student
International students at Calvin are eager to get to know you better. Please choose a chat time that works and drop in sometime during that hour to say hello and ask questions!
