AQ vs. CMU

Should I go to Aquinas College or Central Michigan University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if AQ or CMU 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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Aquinas College vs. Central Michigan University comparison
Aquinas College Central Michigan University College 3 College 4
Aquinas College Central Michigan University
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Overview

 AQ CMU
Location Grand Rapids, MI Mount Pleasant, MI
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 1,265 14,557
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #819 #715
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website aquinas.edu cmich.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 AQ CMU
Tuition (In State) $36,480 $13,200
Tuition (Out of State) $36,480 $13,200
Room & Board $10,572 $11,248
Avg Net Price $18,605 $15,605
Avg Grant Aid $30,049 $11,314
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 96%

Admission

 AQ CMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,116 19,888
Admitted 1,921 15,701
Acceptance Rate 90.8% 78.9%
Enrolled % 16% 12.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.47
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27
SAT Range 1000/1180 980/1220
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

 AQ CMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

 AQ CMU
Graduation Rate 52% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $44,500
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $279

Diversity

 AQ CMU
% Men 43% 40%
% Women 57% 60%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 79%
% Black 3% 8%
% Hispanic 6% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 3% 3%

Students

 AQ CMU
% In-State 84% 90%
% Out-of-State 13% 9%

Campus

 AQ CMU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Central Michigan University is larger than than AQ based on total student enrollment (14,557 students vs. 1,265 students)

AQ vs. CMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or CMU?

  • Aquinas College is 176.4% more expensive to attend than CMU for in-state tuition ($36,480.00 vs. $13,200.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 176.4% higher at AQ than Central Michigan University ($36,480.00 vs. $13,200.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Michigan University than AQ ($15,605 vs. $18,605)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 6.4% lower than costs at Central Michigan University ($10,572 vs. $11,248)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Aquinas College than Central Michigan University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 165.6% larger than aid received Central Michigan University ($30,049 vs. $11,314)

AQ vs. CMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Aquinas College (1090) is 41 points higher than at CMU (1049)
  • Incoming AQ students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at CMU (23)
  • Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at CMU (3.47)
  • AQ has a higher acceptance rate (90.8%) than CMU (78.9%)

AQ vs. CMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, AQ or CMU? 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 CMU and AQ.

  • The graduation rate at CMU is higher than Aquinas College (54% vs. 52%)
  • Graduates from Central Michigan University earn on average $4,500 more per year than AQ graduates after ten years. ($44,500 vs. $40,000)
  • Aquinas College students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than CMU graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,000)
  • AQ graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than CMU graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
  • More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 54%)

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