AQ vs. Ashland College

Comparable Facts

Compare Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI with Ashland University in Ashland, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ashland University is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (4,106 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Aquinas College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Ashland University is in Ashland, OH (Town Fringe setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ashland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; Ashland University 14:1.

AQ vs. Ashland College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or Ashland 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 Aquinas College than Ashland College ($18,018 vs. $22,610).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 13.9% lower than at Ashland University ($11,680 vs. $13,568).
• Aquinas College is 28.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ashland College (about $9,008 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $31,210.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.9% higher at AQ than at Ashland University (about $9,008 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $31,210.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College as at Ashland University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 61% larger than aid received by Ashland University students ($33,535 vs. $20,835).

AQ vs. Ashland College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AQ or Ashland 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 Ashland College and AQ.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ashland University (1120) is 90 points higher than at AQ (1030).
• Incoming AQ students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Ashland College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 910/1140; Ashland University 1035/1208.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 20/26; Ashland University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; Ashland College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Ashland College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at AQ (3.52).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than Ashland College (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 15.9% at Ashland College.

AQ vs. Ashland College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and Ashland 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).

• Ashland University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Aquinas College's (52%).
• Graduates from Ashland University earn a median of about $400 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Aquinas College graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Ashland College graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, AQ graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ashland College graduates ($268 vs. $271).
• More Ashland College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AQ students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 60%)

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.