AQ vs. Barton College

Comparable Facts

Compare Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI with Barton College in Wilson, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Barton College is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (1,235 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

AQ vs. Barton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or Barton 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 Barton College ($18,018 vs. $23,962).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 17.3% lower than at Barton College ($11,680 vs. $14,130).
• Aquinas College is 8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Barton College (about $2,968 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $37,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8% higher at AQ than at Barton College (about $2,968 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $37,250.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College as at Barton College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 23% larger than aid received by Barton College students ($33,535 vs. $27,266).

AQ vs. Barton College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Barton College (1060) is 30 points higher than at AQ (1030).
• Incoming AQ students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Barton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 910/1140; Barton College 970/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 20/26; Barton College 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; Barton College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Barton College (3.25).
• Barton College has a higher acceptance rate (94.2%) than AQ (89.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 10.4% at Barton College.

AQ vs. Barton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and Barton 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).

• Aquinas College's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Barton College's (47%).
• Graduates from Aquinas College earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Barton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $38,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Aquinas College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Barton College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, AQ graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Barton College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Barton College students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 52%)

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.