Skip to main content

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.

Image
An overhead view of Calvin's Commons Lawn. Small groups of students enjoy the setting sun and simply hanging out.

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.

Calvin Strategic Plan 2025

Key Facts

116

major and programs

3,681

total enrollment

25–30

ACT composite (middle 50%)

22

average class size

47:53

male to female ratio

14:1

student to faculty ratio

17%

U.S. ethnic minorities

13.5%

international students

71%

first-year (freshmen) acceptance rate

86.7%

first-to-second-year retention rate

44

National Merit Scholars

400

acre campus

1.6 square kilometers
Brief History

A Firm Foundation

1857 to 2019

1857
1857

The Christian Reformed Church is established in West Michigan.

The Christian Reformed Church is established in We...

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.

Our History

Key Commitments

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.

Image
Diversity and Difference 2024

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.

Image
A calvin student works in the community garden.

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.

Image
A student standing and smiling at the front of class.

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.

Awards and Acclaim

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.”

Image
2025 Best colleges U.S. News and World Report, Regional Universities Midwest

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.

#calvinuniversity

Sights & Sounds