Calvin University vs La Sierra University
Calvin University and La Sierra University, two distinct institutions of higher learning, offer unique educational experiences to their students. Calvin, a Christian liberal arts college in Grand Rapids, Michigan, boasts a 79% acceptance rate and a student body that is predominantly White (78%) and female (58%). On the other hand, La Sierra, a Seventh-day Adventist university in Riverside, California, has a higher acceptance rate of 86% and a more diverse student body, with a significant Hispanic population (38%) and a gender distribution that is nearly equal. While both universities offer a range of undergraduate programs, Calvin is known for its strengths in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, while La Sierra excels in health professions, business, and education. With different graduation rates (88% for Calvin and 79% for La Sierra), these institutions provide distinct academic environments and opportunities for personal growth, inviting prospective students to explore the comparison table for further insights into their distinctive
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![]() Calvin University |
![]() La Sierra University |
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Overview |
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Location | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Riverside, California |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | 4-1-4 | Quarter |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 86.0% | 72.0% |
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Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Protestant | Protestant |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 75.1% | 66.1% |
Application fees | $35 | |
SAT range | 1120 - 1340 | 880 - 1140 |
ACT range | 24 - 30 | 18 - 28 |
Students submitting SAT score | 61.0% | 25.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 24.0% | 2.0% |
Total number of applicants | 3,986 | 2,726 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,992 | 1,801 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 736 | 287 |
Yield rate | 24.6% | 15.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $52,840 | $59,289 |
Average net price | $27,120 | $25,230 |
Tuition | $37,990 | $33,228 |
Room & board | $10,800 |
Room/dormitory:
$4,740
Meal plan:
$4,050
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
95.0%
Average amount $24,410 |
100.0%
Average amount $20,812 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
43.0%
Average amount $4,987 |
59.0%
Average amount $4,980 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $16,620 |
1.0%
Average amount $22,020 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,068
Men 47.1% Women 52.9% |
1,351
Men 41.2% Women 58.8% |
Graduate students |
189
Men 38.1% Women 61.9% |
387
Men 33.1% Women 66.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 11.7% | 14.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 2,453 | 850 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 77.3% | 44.9% |
Dropout rate | 7.6% | 20.1% |
Transferred out | 14.7% | 34.7% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Compare Similar Colleges
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