Calvin University vs Gordon College
Calvin University and Gordon College, two esteemed Christian liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Calvin, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, boasts a higher acceptance rate (84%) compared to Gordon's 74%. Both institutions share a strong emphasis on faith-based learning, yet they differ in their academic offerings. Calvin excels in the sciences, with popular majors including biology, chemistry, and nursing, while Gordon's strengths lie in the social sciences, with majors such as psychology, sociology, and business administration being highly sought after. While Calvin's student body is predominantly white (75%), Gordon's student population is more diverse, with 55% white students. Both institutions boast impressive graduation rates, with Calvin's at 82% and Gordon's at 85%. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these aspects and more. Explore the table to discover which institution aligns best with your
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![]() Calvin University |
![]() Gordon College |
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Overview |
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Location | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Wenham, Massachusetts |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | 4-1-4 | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 86.0% | 79.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Protestant | Interdenominational |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 75.1% | 77.4% |
Application fees | $35 |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$75
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SAT range | 1120 - 1340 | 1153 - 1370 |
ACT range | 24 - 30 | 24 - 30 |
Students submitting SAT score | 61.0% | 24.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 24.0% | 8.0% |
Total number of applicants | 3,986 | 1,462 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,992 | 1,132 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 736 | 317 |
Yield rate | 24.6% | 28.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $52,840 | $40,910 |
Average net price | $27,120 | $25,917 |
Tuition | $37,990 | $25,250 |
Room & board | $10,800 |
Room/dormitory:
$7,480
Meal plan:
$4,220
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
95.0%
Average amount $24,410 |
100.0%
Average amount $26,364 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
43.0%
Average amount $4,987 |
68.0%
Average amount $7,144 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $16,620 |
13.0%
Average amount $14,683 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,068
Men 47.1% Women 52.9% |
1,368
Men 39.5% Women 60.5% |
Graduate students |
189
Men 38.1% Women 61.9% |
436
Men 26.4% Women 73.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 11.7% | 8.4% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 2,453 | 1,390 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Mississippi Connecticut New Hampshire New York New Jersey |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 11:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 77.3% | 72.1% |
Dropout rate | 7.6% | 27.7% |
Transferred out | 14.7% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Social Work (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Religion/Religious Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
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