Calvin College vs. Kalamazoo College

Should I go to Calvin College or Kalamazoo College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Calvin College or Kalamazoo College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Hope College Wheaton College Wooster Michigan Michigan State GVSU Cedarville University Oberlin St Olaf Denison Taylor University WMU
Calvin College vs. Kalamazoo College comparison
Calvin College Kalamazoo College College 3 College 4
Calvin College Kalamazoo College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Calvin College Kalamazoo College
Location Grand Rapids, MI Kalamazoo, MI
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 3,231 1,210
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #284 #221
Religious Affiliation Christian Reformed Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website calvin.edu kzoo.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Calvin College Kalamazoo College
Tuition (In State) $38,370 $56,001
Tuition (Out of State) $38,370 $56,001
Room & Board $11,150 $11,340
Avg Net Price $25,775 $26,981
Avg Grant Aid $26,448 $41,855
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

Calvin College Kalamazoo College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,079 3,702
Admitted 3,027 2,934
Acceptance Rate 74.2% 79.3%
Enrolled % 20.4% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.73
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 25/30 26/32
SAT Range 1120/1370 1200/1370
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2024

Academics

Calvin College Kalamazoo College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Social Sciences (28%)
  • Biology (12%)
  • Physical Sciences (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • English and Literature (8%)

Outcomes

Calvin College Kalamazoo College
Graduation Rate 77% 80%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $54,400
Making Student Loan Payments 81% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,449 $26,450
Median Loan Payment $273 $273

Diversity

Calvin College Kalamazoo College
% Men 46% 43%
% Women 54% 57%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 74% 60%
% Black 3% 6%
% Hispanic 4% 10%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 5%
% International 10% 7%
% Unknown Race 2% 6%

Students

Calvin College Kalamazoo College
% In-State 51% 65%
% Out-of-State 33% 32%

Campus

Calvin College Kalamazoo College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Calvin College is larger than than Kalamazoo College based on total student enrollment (3,231 students vs. 1,210 students)

Calvin College vs. Kalamazoo College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Calvin College or Kalamazoo College?

  • Kalamazoo College is 45.9% more expensive to attend than Calvin College for in-state tuition ($56,001.00 vs. $38,370.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 45.9% higher at Kalamazoo College than Calvin College ($56,001.00 vs. $38,370.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Calvin College than Kalamazoo College ($25,775 vs. $26,981)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Calvin College are 1.7% lower than costs at Kalamazoo College ($11,150 vs. $11,340)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Calvin College than Kalamazoo College (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Kalamazoo College students is 58.3% larger than aid received Calvin College ($41,855 vs. $26,448)

Calvin College vs. Kalamazoo College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Calvin College or Kalamazoo College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Kalamazoo College or Calvin College .

  • Accepted freshman Calvin College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Kalamazoo College (3.73)
  • Kalamazoo College has a higher acceptance rate (79.3%) than Calvin College (74.2%)

Calvin College vs. Kalamazoo College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Calvin College or Kalamazoo College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Kalamazoo College and Calvin College.

  • The graduation rate at Kalamazoo College is higher than Calvin College (80% vs. 77%)
  • Graduates from Kalamazoo College earn on average $7,400 more per year than Calvin College graduates after ten years. ($54,400 vs. $47,000)
  • Calvin College students graduate with a $1 lower median federal student loan debt than Kalamazoo College graduates. ($26,449 vs. $26,450)
  • Kalamazoo College and Calvin College graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($273 vs. $273)
  • More Calvin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kalamazoo College students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 81%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/