Calvin University
Calvin University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Calvin University at a Glance
Calvin University is a private Christian university in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1876, Calvin University is an educational institution of the Christian Reformed Church and stands in the Reformed (Calvinist) tradition. Known as Calvin College for most of its history, the school is named after John Calvin, the 16th-century Protestant Reformer.
1876
150 years old
$297M
$296.5 million (2025)
3,256
328
390 acres
Identity
Is Calvin University Worth It?
Calvin University offers moderate value at $22,992/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $58,375, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 76% graduation rate means roughly 24% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Calvin University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in MI
Ranked #16 of 100 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Carroll University | 67 | $15,193 | $58,009 |
| #2 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #3 | Pacific Lutheran University | 60 | $19,589 | $66,990 |
| #4 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #5 | University of Mary | 58 | $17,770 | $60,909 |
| #6 | Fresno Pacific University | 57 | $13,630 | $58,896 |
| #16 | Calvin University | 48 | $22,992 | $58,375 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Calvin University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in MI.
Best Programs at Calvin University
The highest-earning program at Calvin University is Engineering, General at $63,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Economics at $20,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Engineering, General graduate from Calvin University earns $63,300, while a Economics graduate earns $20,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Engineering, General graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $25,438 for Economics.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,992/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering, General | $63,300 | $63,300 | $27,000 |
| Computer Science | $56,400 | $56,400 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $55,700 | $55,700 | $22,828 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $55,500 | $55,500 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $42,000 | $42,000 | $25,980 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $36,700 | $36,700 | $25,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $30,900 | $30,900 | $26,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $30,900 | $30,900 | $25,556 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $30,400 | $30,400 | $23,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $29,600 | $29,600 | $24,185 |
| Biology, General | $28,100 | $28,100 | $24,225 |
| Psychology, General | $26,300 | $26,300 | $22,750 |
| History | $20,800 | $20,800 | N/A |
| Economics | $20,000 | $20,000 | $25,438 |
Similar Colleges in MI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Grand Rapids, MI
- Student Body
- 3,193 students
- Admission Rate
- 71%
- Graduation Rate
- 76%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,992
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $58,375
- Median Student Debt
- $23,250