ASU vs. Aquinas College

Should I go to Appalachian State University or Aquinas College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ASU or Aquinas College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Appalachian State University vs. Aquinas College comparison
Appalachian State University Aquinas College College 3 College 4
Appalachian State University Aquinas College
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Overview

ASU Aquinas College
Location Boone, NC Nashville, TN
Setting Distant Town Large City
Enrollment 21,253 342
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #597
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website appstate.edu aquinascollege.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

ASU Aquinas College
Tuition (In State) $4,242 $21,350
Tuition (Out of State) $21,238 $21,350
Room & Board $12,258 $8,850
Avg Net Price $14,712 $20,892
Avg Grant Aid $7,677 $12,820
% Receiving Grant Aid 47% 100%

Admission

ASU Aquinas College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 24,001 245
Admitted 21,275 99
Acceptance Rate 88.6% 40.4%
Enrolled % 19.9% 33.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.96 3.55
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/27 21/28
SAT Range 1100/1280 1100/1370
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2026

Academics

ASU Aquinas College
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 0:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Health Professions (67%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (2%)
  • English and Literature (1%)

Outcomes

ASU Aquinas College
Graduation Rate 65% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,600 $48,600
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,500 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $211 $211

Diversity

ASU Aquinas College
% Men 3% 0%
% Women 6% 0%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 85% 69%
% Black 3% 6%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 2%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 9%

Students

ASU Aquinas College
% In-State 87% -
% Out-of-State 13% -

Campus

ASU Aquinas College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Appalachian State University is larger than than Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (21,253 students vs. 342 students)

ASU vs. Aquinas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or Aquinas College?

  • Aquinas College is 403.3% more expensive to attend than ASU for in-state tuition ($21,350.00 vs. $4,242.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 0.5% higher at Aquinas College than Appalachian State University ($21,350.00 vs. $21,238.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Appalachian State University than Aquinas College ($14,712 vs. $20,892)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 38.5% lower than costs at Appalachian State University ($8,850 vs. $12,258)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Aquinas College than Appalachian State University (100% vs. 47%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 67% larger than aid received Appalachian State University ($12,820 vs. $7,677)

ASU vs. Aquinas College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or Aquinas College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Aquinas College or ASU .

  • The average SAT score at Appalachian State University (1157) is 42 points higher than at Aquinas College (1115)
  • Incoming ASU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Aquinas College (24)
  • Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Aquinas College (3.55)
  • ASU has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than Aquinas College (40.4%)

ASU vs. Aquinas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ASU or Aquinas College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Aquinas College and ASU.

  • The graduation rate at ASU is higher than Aquinas College (65% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Aquinas College earn on average $7,000 more per year than ASU graduates after ten years. ($48,600 vs. $41,600)
  • Aquinas College and ASU graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($20,500 vs. $20,500)
  • Aquinas College and ASU graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($211 vs. $211)
  • More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Aquinas College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/