Calvin College

Pursuing excellence
Calvin students dare to pursue excellence in everything they take on. We don’t settle for good enough. Not in a lab, not in an art show, not even in a jump shot. It’s a bold college path, but thousands of Calvin students will say it’s a path worth traveling. The Calvin community believes no one major has the upper hand in uncovering truths about God and the world—all students are invited into that journey of discovery. 

A commitment to the liberal arts
Calvin began as a ministry school in 1876, and even then the inaugural class participated in both literary and theological training. Calvin had a liberal arts bent—more than that, a desire to explore all things—from the start. With a multifaceted core curriculum, today’s Calvin students are free to chase the wonderings of philosophy, the intricacies of languages foreign and familiar, and the beauty of the world at a molecular level.

Whatever big questions you encounter during your time at Calvin, you are encouraged to pursue bigger answers. Explore these ideas both on campus and through more than 40 off-campus programs around the world. 

A variety of majors and programs
Calvin is proud to offer 100+ majors, minors, and programs, with advanced courses that have often been compared to graduate-level experiences for their remarkable depth of learning. And the meaningful work in a student’s area of interest doesn’t begin post-college, but right here during the Calvin experience—through hands-on research, fast-paced internships, and the chance to present and publish alongside world-class faculty. That cultivation of curiosity and innovation has propelled Calvin into the top 5% of all undergraduate institutions whose grads go on to earn PhDs.

Jump into the action during your first year with countless opportunities for research and creative expression. Explore the dunes of Lake Michigan or practice the nuances of sculpting. Connect with students who share your passions through fellowships like the John M. Perkins Leadership Fellows, Calvin Research Fellows, or the Artist Collaborative.

Grand Rapids roots, global reach
Located in the heart of the Midwest, Grand Rapids has all that a college town should offer and then some: a legendary hot dog joint, world-class museums, artisan coffee, miles of bike and running trails, and so much to discover.

And Calvin roots go deep here. We’re fully invested in this piece of God’s creation with an intellectual curiosity that inspires a vision for a better world. Perhaps that explains why so many Calvin alumni have founded businesses and nonprofits right here in Grand Rapids, from ArtPrize, an international art competition, to Inner City Christian Federation, a community-focused affordable housing organization. Because while this is a great city to explore, it’s an even better one for launching your career.

Engaging the world before graduation
Our definition of success is putting hearts and hands to whatever vocation God calls you to. This can look like becoming a top-performing trial lawyer or serving at a relief agency, researching a cure for cancer or starting your own business. The common thread is that Calvin grads serve others and influence the world for good. Our students are well prepared for meaningful careers; in fact, 86% of our 2015 graduates participated in at least one internship or practicum while studying at Calvin.

Work hard and play hard
At Calvin students strike a balance between working hard and playing hard. That’s evident in our 21 varsity teams who achieve success on the court and in the classroom, winning 10 NCAA Division III national titles and 118 Academic All-American awards. Plus, students enjoy more than 60 intramural, club sport, and group fitness options.

At Calvin you’ll also let culture become your classroom. Calvin provides over 100 campus activities and concerts a year. You’ll have the chance to sit down with many of the bands that perform at Calvin, from Switchfoot to The National. Here you can dig deeper into movies, social movements, or even video games through great lectures and on-campus workshops.

Be an agent of renewal
Do you believe things can be better? At Calvin we believe in Christ’s promises to make all things new.

After all, what is a vacant lot can become a community garden. What is a muddied river can become a fresh water supply. And what is a broken relationship can become reconciliation in action. With the right lens, and God’s transformative hand in the world, an unsolved problem can become the catalyst for a game-changing solution.

Your studies should inspire you to look at the world in new ways—and at Calvin they will. You’ll think deeply, act justly, and live wholeheartedly, all while surrounded by a community committed to helping you flourish.