AQ vs. AU

Comparable Facts

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

Averett University is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (1,476 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Aquinas College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Averett University is in Danville, VA (Small City setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Averett University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; Averett University 16:1.

AQ vs. AU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or AU? 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 AU ($18,018 vs. $23,471).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 19.6% lower than at Averett University ($11,680 vs. $14,530).
• Aquinas College is 4.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than AU (about $1,668 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $38,550.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at AQ than at Averett University (about $1,668 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $38,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at Averett University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 11.8% larger than aid received by Averett University students ($33,535 vs. $29,998).

AQ vs. AU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AQ or AU? 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 AU and AQ.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Aquinas College (1030) is the same as at AU (1030).
• Incoming AQ students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at AU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 910/1140; Averett University 926/1143.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 20/26; Averett University 15/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; AU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at AU (3.07).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than AU (56.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 18.1% at AU.

AQ vs. AU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and AU? 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).

• Aquinas College's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Averett University's (41%).
• Graduates from Averett University earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,400 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Averett University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 51%)

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.