Admit rate has ranged 59%–78% over the last 4 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Calvary University is a small, evangelical Christian institution in Kansas City, Missouri, where spiritual formation is woven directly into the fabric of academic and residential life. With a student-faculty ratio of 8:1 and a focus on developing 'intellectual and spiritual maturity,' it offers a highly personalized, Biblically-centered education primarily for students preparing for church and service-oriented careers. While its graduation and retention rates signal challenges, its accessible admissions and relatively low net price position it as a practical option for mission-driven learners.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
154
In-state tuition
$14,094
Out-of-state tuition
$14,094
Graduation Rate
52%
Freshman Minimums
2.0 GPA, ACT 17 / SAT 840
Student-Faculty Ratio
8:1
Median Earnings (10yr)
$45,421
First-Year Retention Rate
71%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$45,421
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.8×
Median debt at graduation
$20,839
Graduation rate
52%
First-year retention
55%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
47%
Pell (lower-income) share
31%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
35%
Financial health
2.9 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries$26,121
Bible/Biblical Studies$21,964
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
78
Summer high
86°F
Winter low
26°F
Annual rain
45.9"
Annual snow
19"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Calvary University?
Calvary University's acceptance rate is approximately 72% (Kansas City, MO), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Calvary University?
Admitted students at Calvary University typically score 980–1140 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Calvary University cost?
At Calvary University, the average net price (after aid) is about $16,334 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Calvary University?
Calvary University enrolls approximately 154 undergraduate students.
Where is Calvary University located?
Calvary University is located in Kansas City, MO.
Admissions
Calvary University operates with a moderately selective admissions process, accepting the majority of its applicants. The university sets clear, attainable minimum standards: prospective freshmen must have at least a 2.0 cumulative high school GPA and a composite ACT score of 17 or an SAT score of 840. For the most recent class, reported cluster tightly between 70.9% and 72%. The admitted class is small; one data set shows 33 students were accepted from 46 applicants. Notably, only 19% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications, suggesting a strong preference for the ACT among its applicant pool. The admissions office can be reached directly at (816) 322-3960 for inquiries.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Academics at Calvary are explicitly designed to integrate rigorous study with spiritual development, aiming to cultivate 'intellectual and spiritual maturity, leadership potential, servanthood, and a sense of mission.' The university boasts an exceptionally intimate learning environment with a student-faculty ratio of 8:1. Its undergraduate offerings include a focused set of bachelor's degrees, such as Elementary Education, Language Arts, Social Sciences, Speech & Theatre, Art, and a Premedical Biology track. Calvary also provides master's programs, which it describes as 'a unique blend of rigorous academics and spiritual formation.' The institution takes pride in its standing within the Christian higher education community, having been ranked in the top 3% of Christian colleges and universities according to one guide. However, student satisfaction, as measured by the average freshman retention rate, is reported at 71%.
Life on Calvary's compact campus—total undergraduate enrollment was 198 as of fall 2023—revolves around a close-knit, faith-based community. The university promotes its environment as 'rich' for developing 'lifelong friendships and relationships.' Residence life is a cornerstone, intentionally crafted to 'cultivate a community that glorifies God with an atmosphere that is conducive to study, fellowship, sleep, and mutual respect.' The university's promotional materials highlight 'discipleship, friendship and revival' as hallmarks of the dorm experience. While specific details on clubs and Greek life are not provided in the sources, the overall emphasis is on creating a holistic, supportive living and learning environment shaped by a Biblical worldview, a focus that extends to its online programs as well.
Post-graduation outcomes at Calvary reflect its niche mission. The six-year graduation rate is reported at 52%, though other sources cite figures as low as 34% and 35%. The first-year retention rate is 55%, indicating a significant number of students do not return for a second year. For those who persist, the median earnings ten years after entry are $45,421. The university tracks 'Graduate Employment Outcomes' and 'Licensure and Certification Pass Rates,' suggesting a focus on practical, career-ready results for fields like education and ministry, though specific pass rates are not detailed in the provided snippets.
Calvary University is a relatively affordable private option, with a —the average cost after grants and scholarships—reported between $12,860 and $14,897 per year. The university encourages prospective students to use its online Net Price Calculator to estimate individual costs. Financial aid is packaged from a variety of sources, including scholarships, grants, and loans. All undergraduate programs are eligible for federal financial aid, but students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to retain eligibility. The university's financial aid office can be contacted at [email protected]. There is no indication in the provided sources that Calvary has a 'no-loan' policy or commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need without loans.
Calvary University stands out for its unapologetic, all-encompassing integration of Christian faith and undergraduate education. This isn't a school with a chapel requirement; it's one where the entire academic and residential experience is explicitly designed to 'prepare students to serve in the Church and the world according to a Biblical worldview.' Its distinctiveness lies in its hyper-focused mission and its remarkably small scale—with under 200 undergraduates and an 8:1 student-faculty ratio, it offers an intensity of personal attention rare in higher education. While its graduation metrics are modest, it provides a direct, affordable pathway for students certain of their calling to ministry, Christian education, or service-oriented fields. It's a place for those who want their college experience to be, first and foremost, an extension of their faith community, with academics as the tool for that formation.
Calvary University seal · sourceCalvary University Campus Location & Map · sourceStudent Housing & Dorms At Calvary University · sourceWelcome to Calvary University · source
