About Calvin
Calvin is a school with a big mission: equipping students to be agents of renewal, ready to step into the public square and renew all things for the glory of Christ.
We believe that you have something to offer the world; every student has something that God is calling him or her to do. Calvin’s job is to partner with you to discover what that is and then help you develop the skills you’ll need to gain that success.
Key Facts
major and programs
total enrollment
ACT composite (middle 50%)
average class size
male to female ratio
student to faculty ratio
U.S. ethnic minorities
international students
first-year (freshmen) acceptance rate
first-to-second-year retention rate
National Merit Scholars
acre campus
A Firm Foundation
1857 to 2019
It started simply, as great things often do. But what began in 1876 as a school of ministry training for just seven students has emerged as a world-class, comprehensive Christian university.
Education for Shalom
The great writing prophets of the Bible knew how many ways human life had gone wrong because they knew how many ways human life can go right. And they dreamed of a time when God would put things right again—creating shalom—universal flourishing, wholeness, and delight. This is why we’re here and it’s what we’re all about: educating for shalom.
We celebrate diversity
When you come to Calvin, we know you have a background, an identity that shapes the stories of your life. And we believe a student population rich in diversity in all its forms is a real benefit to our community and makes for a vibrant learning environment. We’re committed to the flourishing of all students from every race, ethnicity, culture, gender, and ability.
We honor the Creator by caring for creation
Education at Calvin is infused with thoughtful, biblically based principles that help form a foundation for living that honors the Creator and his creation. Our community gardens, campus recycling program, residence hall sustainability challenges, and academic endeavors are all pursued with both a mind and heart toward God’s plan for the renewal of all creation.
We see vocation as more than a career
Yes, your Calvin education will prepare you for excellence in your career field—but our focus extends far beyond that. We don’t just equip you to find a job; we empower you to discover your calling. We don’t just hand you a textbook; we teach valuable life skills too, from paying rent to maintaining healthy relationships. We don’t just add you to a tally list of graduates; we train you to be a leader in your work, your church, and your community.
Don't Just Take Our Word For It
U.S. News & World Report
Calvin is ranked #4 overall among Midwest Regional Universities in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges Guidebook.”
The Princeton Review
Professors are “extremely talented, interesting, and connected in their specific fields.” Instructors are also “masters at integration of education and Christianity,” making the classes at Calvin less about teaching the requisites for getting a job and “more about how to continue to learn about the field and how Christianity should figure into it.”
Fiske Guide to Colleges
“Calvin students describe the overall academic environment as challenging but supportive [...] Calvin graduates have few problems getting accepted to graduate schools of law, medicine, or business.”
Money Magazine
Calvin is included in “The Best Colleges For Your Money,” a list compiled based on educational quality, affordability, and career outcomes.