Calvin College vs. SAU

Should I go to Calvin College or Spring Arbor University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Calvin College or SAU 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.

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Calvin College vs. Spring Arbor University comparison
Calvin College Spring Arbor University College 3 College 4
Calvin College
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Overview

Calvin College SAU
Location Grand Rapids, MI Spring Arbor, MI
Setting Midsize City Small Suburban
Enrollment 3,231 2,396
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #284 #501
Religious Affiliation Christian Reformed Church Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website calvin.edu arbor.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Calvin College SAU
Tuition (In State) $38,370 $31,020
Tuition (Out of State) $38,370 $31,020
Room & Board $11,150 $10,652
Avg Net Price $25,775 $22,375
Avg Grant Aid $26,448 $20,677
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Calvin College SAU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,079 2,312
Admitted 3,027 1,094
Acceptance Rate 74.2% 47.3%
Enrolled % 20.4% 20.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.61
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 25/30 20/26
SAT Range 1120/1370 970/1135
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

Academics

Calvin College SAU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Business (31%)
  • Work and Family Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Human Services (9%)

Outcomes

Calvin College SAU
Graduation Rate 77% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,000 $42,600
Making Student Loan Payments 81% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,449 $24,043
Median Loan Payment $273 $248

Diversity

Calvin College SAU
% Men 46% 23%
% Women 54% 77%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 74% 77%
% Black 3% 10%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 10% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 5%

Students

Calvin College SAU
% In-State 51% 83%
% Out-of-State 33% 13%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Calvin College is larger than than SAU based on total student enrollment (3,231 students vs. 2,396 students)

Calvin College vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Calvin College or SAU?

  • Calvin College is 23.7% more expensive to attend than SAU for in-state tuition ($38,370.00 vs. $31,020.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23.7% higher at Calvin College than Spring Arbor University ($38,370.00 vs. $31,020.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Spring Arbor University than Calvin College ($22,375 vs. $25,775)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 4.7% lower than costs at Calvin College ($10,652 vs. $11,150)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Calvin College than Spring Arbor University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Calvin College students is 27.9% larger than aid received Spring Arbor University ($26,448 vs. $20,677)

Calvin College vs. SAU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Calvin College (1202) is 129 points higher than at SAU (1073)
  • Incoming Calvin College students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at SAU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Calvin College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at SAU (3.61)
  • Calvin College has a higher acceptance rate (74.2%) than SAU (47.3%)

Calvin College vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Calvin College or SAU? 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 SAU and Calvin College.

  • The graduation rate at Calvin College is higher than Spring Arbor University (77% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from Calvin College earn on average $4,400 more per year than SAU graduates after ten years. ($47,000 vs. $42,600)
  • Spring Arbor University students graduate with a $2,406 lower median federal student loan debt than Calvin College graduates. ($24,043 vs. $26,449)
  • SAU graduates are paying $25 less per month on federal student loans than Calvin College graduates. ($248 vs. $273)
  • More Calvin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 58%)

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