Calvin University
Calvin University is a private, non-profit Christian liberal arts university in Grand Rapids, Michigan, founded in 1876, serving roughly 3,700 undergraduate and graduate students through 100+ programs across six academic schools.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1876
- HeadquartersGrand Rapids, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Calvin University does
Calvin University is a private, non-profit Christian liberal arts university headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, founded in 1876 as De Theologische School for Dutch immigrants and rebranded from Calvin College to Calvin University on July 10, 2019. The institution delivers more than 100 academic programs across six schools — Business, Education, Graduate & Continuing Studies, Health, Humanities/Arts & Social Sciences, and STEM — serving approximately 3,700 students from nearly every U.S. state, five Canadian provinces, and 66 countries. Its core product portfolio spans undergraduate and graduate degrees, online programs, dual-enrollment, military/veteran education, and specialized initiatives such as prison education through a partnership with the Michigan Department of Corrections. The university also operates a 400-acre campus including the Bunker Interpretive Center, the 100+ acre Ecosystem Preserve & Native Gardens, and the 68-acre Flat Iron Lake Preserve research facility, and supports 25 NCAA Division III varsity teams.
Revenue is generated primarily through tuition and fees (subscription-style annual billing), auxiliary services such as conferences and retreats at Prince Conference Center and the Bunker Interpretive Center, and private donations and fundraising via alumni programs including the Spark magazine reaching the 65,000-member Calvin Alumni Association. Go-to-market is a traditional sales-led admissions motion targeting prospective undergraduate, graduate, international, transfer, and adult learners through campus visits, high-school counselor engagement, athletic recruiting, and direct outreach. The institution maintains institutional accreditation, FERPA-compliant data handling, WCAG 2.1 AA web conformance, and has earned recognition including #4 Regional Universities Midwest (U.S. News & World Report 2025) and #1 Best College for Veterans (2017). Marketing and distribution span a university website, organic social across Instagram/Facebook/Twitter/LinkedIn/YouTube/Snapchat, the Spark alumni magazine, news/blog content, campus events, and the CalvinKnights athletics platform.
Calvin University firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Calvin University
- Legal name
- Calvin University
- Website
- https://calvin.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1876
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Calvin University is a private, non-profit Christian liberal arts university in Grand Rapids, Michigan, founded in 1876, serving roughly 3,700 undergraduate and graduate students through 100+ programs across six academic schools.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Calvin University industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Religiously Affiliated Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Residential Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAH)
Keywords
Where Calvin University is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Grand Rapids
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Calvin University business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: Revenue from undergraduate and graduate tuition, including full-time, part-time, and online programs. Financial aid and scholarships are offered to offset costs.
- Alumni Donations and Fundraising: Calvin University receives private donations and conducts fundraising campaigns. The Spark alumni magazine and various donor programs support this revenue stream.
- Conference and Event Services: Revenue from hosting conferences, events, and retreats at facilities including Prince Conference Center and the Bunker Interpretive Center.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Undergraduate tuition |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels11 records
Calvin University product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Calvin University is a Christian liberal arts university that delivers undergraduate, graduate, and online degree programs across six academic schools (Business, Education, Graduate & Continuing Studies, Health, Humanities Arts & Social Sciences, and STEM). It serves approximately 3,700 students through more than 100 academic programs and supplements instruction with NCAA Division III athletics, nature preserves, and event venues.
Product overview
Calvin University is a Christian liberal arts university offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs across multiple academic divisions. The institution provides undergraduate, graduate, and online degree programs through its six academic schools: Business, Education, Graduate & Continuing Studies, Health, Humanities Arts & Social Sciences, and STEM. Additionally, the university operates distinctive facilities including the Ecosystem Preserve & Native Gardens (100+ acres), Bunker Interpretive Center (LEED-certified educational building), and Flat Iron Lake Preserve (68-acre research facility with retreat accommodations). The university also offers specialized programs such as the Global Campus, prison education initiatives, and over 25 NCAA Division III athletic teams. With 100+ academic programs and approximately 3,600-3,700 students from diverse backgrounds, the institution positions itself as a comprehensive liberal arts university with expanded global influence as outlined in its Vision 2030 strategic plan.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- 99% graduate placement within one year
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Calvin University
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Calvin University technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Calvin University partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Michigan Department of CorrectionscorePartnership providing educational programs for incarcerated individuals. Michigan prisons have seen a 66% increase in educational program completions, rising from about 2,400 inmates in 2020 to approximately 4,000 last fiscal year, with enrollment reaching about 11,000 of the state's 33,000 prisoners. Calvin hosts statewide prison education conferences.
- ABETcoreABET is the internationally recognized accreditor for college and university programs in applied and natural sciences, computing, engineering, and engineering technology. ABET and The Lemelson Foundation jointly awarded the Engineering for One Planet Innovation in Sustainability Award to Calvin professor Matthew K. Heun.
- Multiple Colleges and UniversitiesminorMichigan Department of Corrections has expanded access to academic and vocational training across its 26 facilities, supported by restored federal Pell Grants and partnerships with multiple colleges and universities.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Calvin University competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Hope College: Hope College is a private Christian liberal arts college in Holland, Michigan, with deep ties to the Reformed Church in America. It is the most direct peer to Calvin—similar denomination, geography (West Michigan), enrollment scale, NCAA DIII athletics, and residential liberal arts model.
- Wheaton College: Wheaton College is a leading evangelical Christian liberal arts college in Illinois with strong national rankings, an extensive academic program portfolio, and similar faith-integrated curriculum and graduate outcomes focus as Calvin.
- Trinity Christian College: Trinity Christian College is a small Reformed/Christian liberal arts college in Palos Heights, Illinois, with similar denominational ties, comparable program mix, and comparable enrollment scale to Calvin.
- Biola University: Biola University is a private Christian university in La Mirada, California, with a comparable mix of undergraduate, graduate, and online programs, faith-integrated curriculum, and a multi-school academic structure paralleling Calvin's six-school model.
- Gordon College: Gordon College is a private Christian liberal arts college in Wenham, Massachusetts, with similar size, faith-based mission, NCAA DIII athletics, and a focus on integrating Christian worldview with liberal arts education.
- Taylor University: Taylor University is a private interdenominational Christian liberal arts university in Upland, Indiana, with comparable enrollment scale, faith-integrated curriculum, NCAA DIII athletics, and a strong outcomes/reputation profile among Midwest Christian institutions.
- Messiah University: Messiah University is a private Christian liberal arts university in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, with comparable undergraduate/graduate program mix, faith-based mission, NCAA DIII athletics, and similar enrollment scale to Calvin.
- Houghton University: Houghton University is a private Christian liberal arts college in western New York with a comparable enrollment scale, faith-integrated curriculum, and NCAA DIII athletics model overlapping directly with Calvin's positioning.
- Azusa Pacific University: Azusa Pacific University is a private Christian university in California offering undergraduate, graduate, and online programs through multiple schools—closely paralleling Calvin's multi-school structure and faith-based academic model, though at a larger scale.
Broad incumbents
- Liberty University: Liberty University is a much larger private Christian university with extensive online program offerings, an enormous enrollment base, and NCAA Division I athletics. It competes with Calvin for Christian and online learners but at a vastly different scale and breadth.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Calvin University social profiles
Digital presenceCalvin University compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Calvin University financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Calvin University leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Calvin University funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Calvin University M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Calvin University
What does Calvin University do?
Calvin University is a Christian liberal arts university that delivers undergraduate, graduate, and online degree programs across six academic schools (Business, Education, Graduate & Continuing Studies, Health, Humanities Arts & Social Sciences, and STEM). It serves approximately 3,700 students through more than 100 academic programs and supplements instruction with NCAA Division III athletics, nature preserves, and event venues.
Is Calvin University a public or private company?
Calvin University is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Calvin University founded?
Calvin University was founded in 1876. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Calvin University based?
Calvin University is headquartered in Grand Rapids, United States, in the North America region.
How does Calvin University make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are alumni Donations and Fundraising and conference and Event Services.
Who are Calvin University's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Hope College, Wheaton College, Trinity Christian College, Biola University, Gordon College, Taylor University, Messiah University, Houghton University and Azusa Pacific University. Liberty University is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Calvin University have an API?
No public API is recorded for Calvin University.
What industry is Calvin University in?
Calvin University's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHACAF, Religiously Affiliated Liberal Arts Colleges, with a secondary code of EDAHACAH, Residential Liberal Arts Colleges. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.