Cutting the price tag

CUTTING THE PRICE TAG

Broken price tag

How families just like yours are affording a Calvin education

Families just like mine? Really?

Really. Take a look:

$0 to $59,999: 22%, $60,000 to $119,999: 27%, $120,000 to $179,999: 25%, $180,000 to $249,999: 13%, over $250,000: 13%.

Family income distribution (2021–2022) for students applying for financial aid.

Calvin has students from all economic backgrounds.

So how much does Calvin cost?

2024–2025 cost



$51,470 pricetag

Cost includes:

  • $39,350 for tuition
  • $5,150 for housing
  • $6,970 for food

2023–2024 comparison


  • $53,949: Average national 4-year private colleges/universities

  • $51,470 Calvin University

  • Average national 4-year private colleges
  • Calvin University

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

$51,470 pricetag

 

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.


Scissors


First cut

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.


Scissors


Second cut

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.


Scissors


Second cut

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.


Scissors


Second cut

LOANS

Finally, we subtract student loans—up to $5,500.


Equals


Actual cost

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.






Shavings

So how much can I expect my actual cost to be?

It varies

The cost of Calvin is different for each family, based on academic achievement, need, and other eligibility criteria. But we can tell you this...

 

100% of new Calvin students receive scholarships and/or grants—gift money that doesn’t need to be repaid. How much financial aid could you get?

100%

Arrow pointing right.

 

Get a personal estimate

Visit Calvin and meet with a financial aid counselor.

 

Then I’m guessing I’ll come out with
$100,000+ in loans, right?

Not even close.

 

You may have heard the shocking stories of six-figure college debt...

News report

$29,532

But of the students at Calvin who borrow, average student loan debt is $29,532—a far cry from the amounts we often hear cited.

That’s still a good chunk of change.
How will I repay that?

Calvin grads are successful.

Student worker

 

Calvin students develop a great work ethic, starting with 1,000+ on-campus job opportunities.

 


Down arrow


Internship

 

88% of Calvin students have participated in an internship by the time they graduate—great preparation for after they leave.


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Briefcase


99% of Calvin graduates were either employed or in grad school one year after graduation.


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Money

The Calvin LifeWork program starts with your passion and unleashes your career path, all while teaching you about the value of living well.


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As a result, Calvin grads are able to pay back their loans.

Take a look at these loan default rates among graduates:

1.6% 9.7%
Calvin University National colleges/universities

What will I get for my investment?

But don’t just take our word for it.

Thumbs up

 

In 2018, MONEY Magazine ranked Calvin the best value among private colleges in Michigan based on educational quality, affordability and career outcomes.

US News and World Report - Best Universities Regional Midwest

 

U.S. News & World Report ranks Calvin #4 among regional midwest universities.

Ok, so what’s next?




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