Calvin University
Grand Rapids, United States • Founded 1876
Overview
Established in 1876, the Calvin University is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Grand Rapids (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Michigan.
Officially accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Calvin University (CU) is a small-sized coeducational US higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Reformed religion. Calvin University (CU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees and master's degrees in several areas of study.
This 148-year-old US higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 70-79% making this US higher education organization a moderately selective institution.
International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
CU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Mailing address, phone, email, and social channels for Calvin University are gathered below for quick reference. Most enquiries route through the admissions team unless noted otherwise.
Academic Details
The numbers behind Calvin University: student body, academic staff, and the recognising bodies validating its work. A baseline read for assessing institutional capacity and rigour.
Programs Offered
Calvin University's programme finder filters by name across all degree levels. Departmental admissions criteria sometimes differ from institutional minimums — verify against the programme page before relying on either.
Bachelor's Degree
64 programmes
Calvin University runs 64 programmes at bachelor's level — undergraduate programmes that usually span three to four years and serve as the standard entry route into a profession or further study.
Social Work Social Work
Film/Video and Photographic Arts Film & Animation
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Performing Arts
Design and Applied Arts Applied Design
Sociology Social & Cultural Studies
Political Science and Government Politics & International Relations
International Relations and National Security Studies Politics & International Relations
Geography and Cartography Geography
Economics Economics
Criminology Social & Cultural Studies
Social Sciences, General Social & Cultural Studies
Fine and Studio Arts Visual Arts
Psychology, General Psychology
Physics Physics & Astronomy
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Earth Sciences & Geology
Chemistry Chemistry
History History
Marketing Advertising & Digital Marketing
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Operations Management
Human Resources Management and Services Human Resource Management
Finance and Financial Management Services Finance, Banking & Insurance
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations Entrepreneurship
Business/Corporate Communications Business Administration
Accounting and Related Services Accounting
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries Religious Studies
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Nursing
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions Rehabilitation Sciences
Public Health Public Health
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services Speech & Language Therapy
Music Music
English Language and Literature, General English Language Studies
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services Linguistics & Language Studies
Engineering, General General Engineering
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Education & Teaching
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies English Language Studies
Special Education and Teaching Special Education
Computer Science Computer Sciences
Computer Systems Analysis Software Engineering
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Public Relations
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication Media Studies & Mass Media
Communication and Media Studies Communication Studies
Area Studies Social & Cultural Studies
Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Liberal Arts
Religion/Religious Studies Philosophy & Ethics
Philosophy Philosophy & Ethics
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness Sport and Exercise Science
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Liberal Arts
Data Analytics Liberal Arts
Data Science Liberal Arts
Natural Resources Conservation and Research Forestry & Natural Resources
Classical and Ancient Studies Liberal Arts
Biological and Physical Sciences Liberal Arts
Statistics Mathematics
Mathematics Mathematics
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology Ecology & Conservation
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology Biochemistry
Biology, General Biological Sciences
Literature English Language Studies
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master's Degree
18 programmes
Calvin University lists 18 programmes awarding a master's — the tier where graduates build the specialist credentials many senior and technical roles now expect.
Geography and Cartography Geography
Public Policy Analysis Public Administration
Public Administration Public Administration
Security Science and Technology Criminal Law & Justice
Criminal Justice and Corrections Criminal Law & Justice
Accounting and Related Services Accounting
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Public Health Public Health
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services Speech & Language Therapy
Special Education and Teaching Special Education
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Education & Teaching
Educational Administration and Supervision Educational Leadership
Curriculum and Instruction Education & Teaching
Education, General Education & Teaching
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Public Relations
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness Sport and Exercise Science
Data Science Liberal Arts
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Associate, Certificate & Other Qualifications
16 programmes
This group collects Calvin University's 16 programmes of certificates, diplomas, and foundation or associate programmes — practical entry points or stepping stones toward a degree.
Geography and Cartography Geography
Public Policy Analysis Public Administration
Public Administration Public Administration
Astronomy and Astrophysics Physics & Astronomy
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Operations Management
International Business International Business
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services Speech & Language Therapy
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Education & Teaching
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries Religious Studies
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries Religious Studies
Data Science Liberal Arts
Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies Liberal Arts
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General Liberal Arts
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Liberal Arts
No programmes match your filter in this level.
How to apply to Calvin University
Below is a five-step path through the application process at Calvin University, useful for first-time applicants and international students.
- 1 Research programmes at Calvin University
Use the programme finder to browse Calvin University's 98 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.
- 2 Review admissions criteria
Programme-level requirements at Calvin University typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.
- 3 Gather supporting documents
Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.
- 4 Lodge your application
Calvin University processes applications through calvin.edu. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.
- 5 Confirm receipt and track progress
Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. Reach the institution by phone at +1 (616) 526 6000. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.
Frequently Asked Questions about Calvin University
Short Q&A on the institutional facts that matter most when shortlisting Calvin University as a study destination.
How old is Calvin University?
The institution opened in 1876 (approximately 150 years ago).
What city is Calvin University in?
Calvin University operates from Grand Rapids, United States.
What is Calvin University's control type?
Calvin University is a private institution.
How big is Calvin University's student body?
Calvin University serves approximately 3,000-3,999 students.
Does Calvin University have a religious affiliation?
Calvin University is associated with Christian-Reformed.
Is Calvin University officially recognised?
Yes, Calvin University is recognised by Higher Learning Commission.
How do I find Calvin University online?
The institution's website is calvin.edu.
Top-Ranked Universities in the United States
the United States's most prominent universities are listed below — relevant for assessing Calvin University's national positioning. National prominence signals not just academic strength but also employer recognition.
Members of Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU)
If Calvin University's Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) membership influenced your interest, these institutions belong to the same network and offer comparable mobility and credential-recognition benefits. Membership shapes everything from exchange access to joint research opportunities.
Other American Universities Affiliated with Christian-Reformed
Faith-based scholarships exist at most Christian-Reformed institutions, sometimes restricted to coreligionists, sometimes open to all. The peers below often run parallel funding programmes.
Faculties at Nearby Universities
Alumni networks within a region often outlast individual institutional choice. Universities near Calvin University share post-grad employer connections that benefit students from any of them.
Where Else to Study Liberal Arts
Looking for Liberal Arts programmes beyond Calvin University? Other universities in the United States cover the same discipline. Cross-comparing modules, assessment styles, and faculty profiles is the fastest way to find the right fit.
Universities Often Compared with Calvin University
Cross-peer scholarship reciprocity exists in some systems where peer institutions accept each other's scholarship students. Worth checking for Calvin University if location flexibility matters.
