Academy College vs. Plaza College

Comparable Facts

Compare Academy College in Bloomington, MN with Plaza College in Forest Hills, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Plaza College is larger than Academy College based on total student enrollment (1,002 students vs. 56 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Academy College is located in Bloomington, MN (Small City setting); Plaza College is in Forest Hills, NY (Large City setting).
• Academy College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. Plaza College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Academy College 8:1; Plaza College 28:1.

Academy College vs. Plaza College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Academy College or Plaza College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Plaza College than Academy College ($19,860 vs. $29,093).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Academy College are 44.9% lower than at Plaza College ($8,539 vs. $15,500).
• Academy College is 20.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Plaza College (about $3,230 more per year; $18,680.00 vs. $15,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.9% higher at Academy College than at Plaza College (about $3,230 more per year; $18,680.00 vs. $15,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Plaza College than at Academy College (93% vs. 50%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Plaza College students is 39.4% larger than aid received by Academy College students ($6,665 vs. $4,781).

Academy College vs. Plaza College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Academy College or Plaza College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Plaza College and Academy College.

• Academy College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Academy College - Open admission; Plaza College - Test-free.

Academy College vs. Plaza College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Academy College and Plaza College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Academy College earn a median of about $12,100 more per year than Plaza College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,400 vs. $27,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Plaza College graduates have a $13,969 lower median loan debt than Academy College graduates ($13,915 vs. $27,884).
• Among borrowers, Plaza College graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Academy College graduates ($143 vs. $288).
• More Academy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Plaza College students, three years after graduation. (38% vs. 30%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.