Calvin University vs Union University

Calvin University and Union University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Calvin, a Christian liberal arts college in Grand Rapids, Michigan, boasts a 79% acceptance rate and a student body predominantly comprised of Caucasian students (73%). Union, a private Christian university in Jackson, Tennessee, has a slightly higher acceptance rate of 84% and a more diverse student body, with 58% Caucasian students. While Calvin's popular majors include Engineering, Business, and Education, Union's strengths lie in Nursing, Business, and Education. Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with Calvin at 80% and Union at 78%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Calvin University logo

Calvin University

Union University logo

Union University

Overview

Location Grand Rapids, Michigan Jackson, Tennessee
Campus setting City: Midsize City: Small
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system 4-1-4 4-1-4
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 86.0% 87.0%
Common app member Yes No
Religious affiliation Protestant Baptist

Admission

Acceptance rate 75.1% 52.9%
Application fees $35
Undergraduate: $35

Graduate: $25
SAT range 1120 - 1340 1120 - 1330
ACT range 24 - 30 23 - 30
Students submitting SAT score 61.0% 14.0%
Students submitting ACT score 24.0% 86.0%
Total number of applicants 3,986 2,660
Total number of admissions given out 2,992 1,407
Admitted students who chose to enroll 736 355
Yield rate 24.6% 25.2%
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

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $52,840 $57,160
Average net price $27,120 $27,660
Tuition $37,990 $34,320
Room & board $10,800
Room/dormitory: $8,250

Meal plan: $3,800
Available payment plans
  • Prepaid tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

95.0%
Average amount $24,410
99.0%
Average amount $27,090
Students receiving federal student loan 43.0%
Average amount $4,987
48.0%
Average amount $5,366
Students taking out private loans 7.0%
Average amount $16,620
6.0%
Average amount $10,345

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 3,068
Men 47.1% Women 52.9%
1,993
Men 34.9% Women 65.1%
Graduate students 189
Men 38.1% Women 61.9%
937
Men 29.5% Women 70.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students N/A N/A
International students 11.7% 1.6%
Campus local/setting City: Midsize City: Small
Dormitory capacity 2,453 1,288
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

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Theology
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Education
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Liberal Arts
Students to faculty ratio 12:1 9:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 77.3% 68.3%
Dropout rate 7.6% 8.5%
Transferred out 14.7% 22.9%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $50,594
  • Year 2: $61,020
  • Year 3: $73,154
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $62,088
  • Year 2: $65,188
  • Year 3: $71,772
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $55,940
  • Year 2: $57,564
  • Year 3: $62,400
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,498
  • Year 2: $57,770
  • Year 3: $60,645
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $41,593
  • Year 2: $45,980
  • Year 3: $53,866
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $54,275
  • Year 2: $60,878
  • Year 3: $51,938
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $31,034
  • Year 2: $32,382
  • Year 3: $44,640
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $37,528
  • Year 2: $35,060
  • Year 3: $39,008
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $34,756
  • Year 2: $31,133
  • Year 3: $37,976
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $28,469
  • Year 2: $29,685
  • Year 3: $36,953
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $110,140
  • Year 2: $120,955
  • Year 3: $125,017
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $76,963
  • Year 2: $90,412
  • Year 3: $90,742
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $69,081
  • Year 2: $70,456
  • Year 3: $76,100
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $73,416
  • Year 2: $70,680
  • Year 3: $68,907
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,095
  • Year 2: $58,673
  • Year 3: $58,445
Educational Administration and Supervision (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,930
  • Year 2: $61,516
  • Year 3: $57,493
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $41,028
  • Year 2: $44,590
  • Year 3: $47,722
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $46,732
  • Year 2: $47,191
  • Year 3: $47,278
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $42,103
  • Year 2: $43,674
  • Year 3: $45,420
Social Work (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $40,212
  • Year 2: $39,693
  • Year 3: $41,241

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