Calvin University vs McKendree University
Calvin University and McKendree University, two distinct institutions of higher learning, offer unique educational experiences to their students. Calvin, a private Christian university in Grand Rapids, Michigan, boasts a 79% acceptance rate and is renowned for its strong liberal arts and sciences programs. McKendree, a private Methodist university in Lebanon, Illinois, has a higher acceptance rate of 88% and is known for its nursing, business, and education programs. While both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs, their student body demographics differ significantly. Calvin's student body is predominantly White (78%), while McKendree's student body is more diverse, with a larger proportion of African American (18%) and Hispanic (10%) students. To help you make an informed decision about your higher education journey, we have compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into the key differences between these two universities, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates
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![]() Calvin University |
![]() McKendree University |
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Overview |
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Location | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Lebanon, Illinois |
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% | 73.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Protestant | Methodism |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 75.1% | 77.7% |
Application fees | $35 | |
SAT range | 1120 - 1340 | N/A |
ACT range | 24 - 30 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 61.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 24.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 3,986 | 1,765 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,992 | 1,371 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 736 | 268 |
Yield rate | 24.6% | 19.5% |
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 | $45,680 |
Average net price | $27,120 | $25,492 |
Tuition | $37,990 | $31,700 |
Room & board | $10,800 |
Room/dormitory:
$5,470
Meal plan:
$6,000
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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 |
94.0%
Average amount $20,550 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
43.0%
Average amount $4,987 |
60.0%
Average amount $6,155 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $16,620 |
8.0%
Average amount $13,511 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,068
Men 47.1% Women 52.9% |
1,443
Men 50.0% Women 50.0% |
Graduate students |
189
Men 38.1% Women 61.9% |
515
Men 32.2% Women 67.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 34.8% |
International students | 11.7% | 4.6% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 2,453 | 1,052 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Illinois Missouri Texas California Florida |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 77.3% | 55.6% |
Dropout rate | 7.6% | 44.2% |
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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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
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