Affordability
How families just like yours are affording a Calvin education.
Families just like mine? Really?
Really. Take a look:
Cutting the Price Tag
Calvin has undergraduate students from all economic backgrounds.
Family income distribution (2021–2022) for students applying for financial aid.
So how much does Calvin cost?
2024-2025 Undergraduate Costs
Costs include:
- $39,350 for tuition
- $5,150 for housing
- $6,970 for food
(See Tuition & Costs for details.)
Still, that’s a lot of money—how can my family afford that?
To answer that, let’s first discuss sticker price vs. actual cost.
That $51,470 number? That’s the sticker price. It’s big and it’s daunting. But for most families at Calvin, it’s not the number they’ll actually pay.
Academic Scholarships
First, we subtract scholarships—up to $22,000 based on merit. If you have a 3.0 GPA or higher, you are guaranteed an academic scholarship.
Named Scholarships
Then we subtract Named Scholarships—which average between $2,500–$5,000. We award over 1,400 every year. Admitted Calvin students can apply for Named Scholarships from Dec. 1 to Jan. 31.
Awards & Grants
Next, we see if you’re eligible for awards—like the $2,000 Visit Grant, and Calvin’s Legacy, Diversity, and First Generation Awards.
Then we subtract need-based grants. Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for federal aid (Pell Grants), state of Michigan aid (up to $7,000), or Calvin University’s need-based grants.
Loans
Finally, we subtract student loans—up to $5,500.
Actual Cost
What we’re left with is the actual cost, often times significantly less than the original sticker price. It is the amount left over after scholarships, grants, awards, and student loans have been applied.
That’s still a lot. How will I repay that?
Calvin grads are successful.
on-campus job opportunities.
Undergrad students who have participated in an internship
Calvin grads employed or in grad school
As a result, Calvin grads are able to pay back their loans.
Take a look at these loan default rates among graduates:
What will I get for my investment?
Don't Just Take Our Word For It
U.S. News & World Report
Calvin University is ranked #4 overall, #5 in best undergraduate teaching, and #20 "Best Value Schools" in the Midwest Regional Universities category.
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.”
Money Magazine
Calvin is included in “The Best Colleges For Your Money,” a list compiled based on educational quality, affordability, and career outcomes.