Calvin University vs. Ripon College

Deciding between Calvin University and Ripon College? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Calvin University
Ripon College

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Calvin University Grand Rapids, MI
  • Ripon College Ripon, WI
  • Setting
  • Calvin University Midsize City
  • Ripon College Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Calvin University 3,681
  • Ripon College 709
  • Type
  • Calvin University Private 4 Year
  • Ripon College Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Calvin University #299
  • Ripon College
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Calvin University Christian Reformed Church
  • Ripon College -
  • Status
  • Calvin University Non-profit
  • Ripon College Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Calvin University
  • Ripon College
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Calvin University $39,350
  • Ripon College $51,900
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Calvin University $39,350
  • Ripon College $51,900
  • Room & Board
  • Calvin University $12,120
  • Ripon College $10,800
  • Average Net Price
  • Calvin University $25,231
  • Ripon College $23,772
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Calvin University $29,123
  • Ripon College $39,716
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Calvin University 100%
  • Ripon College 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Calvin University 5,723
  • Ripon College 1,974
  • Admitted
  • Calvin University 4,058
  • Ripon College 1,576
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Calvin University 70.9%
  • Ripon College 79.8%
  • Enrolled
  • Calvin University 21.4%
  • Ripon College 10.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Calvin University 1210
  • Ripon College 1130
  • Typical ACT score
  • Calvin University 27
  • Ripon College 24
  • Average High School GPA
  • Calvin University 3.84
  • Ripon College 3.41
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Calvin University A-
  • Ripon College B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Calvin University Difficult
  • Ripon College Average
  • Applicant Competition
  • Calvin University Low
  • Ripon College
  • ACT Range
  • Calvin University 24/30
  • Ripon College 21/27
  • SAT Range
  • Calvin University 1083/1330
  • Ripon College 980/1270
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Calvin University Test optional
  • Ripon College Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Calvin University
  • Ripon College
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Calvin University 13:1
  • Ripon College 12:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Calvin University
    • Business (13%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Ripon College
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Business (13%)
    • History (10%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
    • Psychology (9%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Calvin University 77%
  • Ripon College 70%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Calvin University $47,000
  • Ripon College $49,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Calvin University 81%
  • Ripon College 77%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Calvin University $26,449
  • Ripon College $28,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Calvin University $273
  • Ripon College $289
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Calvin University 47%
  • Ripon College 55%
  • % Women
  • Calvin University 53%
  • Ripon College 45%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Calvin University Low
  • Ripon College Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Calvin University No
  • Ripon College No
  • % White
  • Calvin University 74%
  • Ripon College 83%
  • % Asian
  • Calvin University 4%
  • Ripon College 1%
  • % Black
  • Calvin University 3%
  • Ripon College 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • Calvin University 4%
  • Ripon College 6%
  • % Native American
  • Calvin University 0%
  • Ripon College 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Calvin University 0%
  • Ripon College 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Calvin University 4%
  • Ripon College 2%
  • % International
  • Calvin University 10%
  • Ripon College 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Calvin University 2%
  • Ripon College 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Calvin University 62%
  • Ripon College 69%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Calvin University 24%
  • Ripon College 30%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Calvin University Yes
  • Ripon College Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Calvin University No
  • Ripon College No
  • Meal Plan
  • Calvin University Yes
  • Ripon College Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Calvin University No
  • Ripon College No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Calvin University No
  • Ripon College No

Comparable Facts

Compare Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI with Ripon College in Ripon, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Calvin University is larger than Ripon College based on total student enrollment (3,681 students vs. 709 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Calvin University is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Ripon College is in Ripon, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Calvin University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ripon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Calvin University 13:1; Ripon College 12:1.

Calvin University vs. Ripon College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Calvin University or Ripon College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ripon College than Calvin University ($23,772 vs. $25,231).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ripon College are 10.9% lower than at Calvin University ($10,800 vs. $12,120).
  • Ripon College is 31.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Calvin University (about $12,550 more per year; $51,900.00 vs. $39,350.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 31.9% higher at Ripon College than at Calvin University (about $12,550 more per year; $51,900.00 vs. $39,350.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Calvin University as at Ripon College (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ripon College students is 36.4% larger than aid received by Calvin University students ($39,716 vs. $29,123).

Calvin University vs. Ripon College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Calvin University or Ripon College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Ripon College and Calvin University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Calvin University (1210) is 80 points higher than at Ripon College (1130).
  • Incoming Calvin University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at Ripon College).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Calvin University 1083/1330; Ripon College 980/1270.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Calvin University 24/30; Ripon College 21/27.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Calvin University - Test optional; Ripon College - Test optional.
  • Accepted freshman Calvin University students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Ripon College (3.41).
  • Ripon College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than Calvin University (70.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at Calvin University vs. 10.9% at Ripon College.

Calvin University vs. Ripon College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Calvin University and Ripon College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Calvin University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Ripon College's (70%).
  • Graduates from Ripon College earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Calvin University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $47,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Calvin University graduates have a $1,551 lower median loan debt than Ripon College graduates ($26,449 vs. $28,000).
  • Among borrowers, Calvin University graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ripon College graduates ($273 vs. $289).
  • More Calvin University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ripon College students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 77%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.