Incoming Class Sets Records for Diversity

This week more than 1,000 incoming students will begin their pursuit of an undergraduate or graduate degree at Calvin University. 

The entering class of first-year students is record-setting in terms of ethnic and geographic diversity. And this class’s average GPA, ACT, and SAT scores all either match or exceed those of the past five incoming classes.

This year’s incoming class hails from 42 U.S. states and 38 countries, both five-year highs for Calvin. The 173 students coming from outside the United States represents more than 17 percent of the class, which is also a record for the university. 

In addition, Calvin’s 2022 incoming class shows domestic diversity. The 182 BIPOC students (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) who will be joining the Calvin community represent 18 percent of the incoming class, an institutional high. 

Calvin also experienced growth in first-generation students with more than a 20-percent increase year-over-year. It’s the institution’s highest mark since 2018. 

“Students and families from around the corner and across the globe are choosing Calvin because we offer both an academically excellent and distinctively Christian education,” said Lauren Jensen, vice president for enrollment strategy at Calvin. “We are thrilled to welcome such a diverse group of students to our community this year, and we are anticipating an ever more vibrant learning community because of this rich diversity.” 

Calvin’s diversity is also seen in its portfolio of learners, which has expanded in recent years to meet the needs of a changing environment and to provide more pathways to a Calvin education. 

Today Calvin serves traditional residential undergraduate and graduate students, students at the Handlon Campus through the Calvin Prison Initiative program, transfer students and online learners, and students in the university’s Ready for Life program. Calvin also serves adult learners who are seeking certificates. 

“We are excited to reach new learning communities with Calvin's mission,” said Kevin den Dulk, associate provost of the university. Den Dulk oversees Calvin’s Global Campus, which works to expand Calvin’s offering to nontraditional students. “Over the past few years, we’ve surveyed the market for new learners and have introduced several new graduate-level and certificate programs that are both in-demand and come out of our mission.” 

Residential students move onto campus this week. On Friday, Aug. 26, at 1:45 p.m. the community will gather in Van Noord Arena for opening convocation, the official kickoff to the academic year. Fall semester classes begin on Monday, Aug. 29.