AQ vs. Cleary College

Comparable Facts

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

Aquinas College is larger than Cleary College based on total student enrollment (1,157 students vs. 1,004 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Aquinas College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Cleary University is in Howell, MI (Midsize City setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleary University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; Cleary University 18:1.

AQ vs. Cleary College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or Cleary 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 Cleary College ($18,018 vs. $23,705).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 9.5% lower than at Cleary University ($11,680 vs. $12,900).
• Aquinas College is 54.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cleary College (about $14,116 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $26,102.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.1% higher at AQ than at Cleary University (about $14,116 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $26,102.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at Cleary University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 107.6% larger than aid received by Cleary University students ($33,535 vs. $16,150).

AQ vs. Cleary College Admissions comparison

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

• Cleary University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cleary University (1060) is 30 points higher than at AQ (1030).
• Incoming AQ students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 18 at Cleary College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 910/1140; Cleary University 950/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 20/26; Cleary University 18/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; Cleary College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleary College Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Cleary College (3.17).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than Cleary College (67.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 28.7% at Cleary College.

AQ vs. Cleary College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and Cleary 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).

• Cleary University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Aquinas College's (52%).
• Graduates from Cleary University earn a median of about $14,900 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,900 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Aquinas College graduates have a $4,227 lower median loan debt than Cleary College graduates ($26,000 vs. $30,227).
• Among borrowers, AQ graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleary College graduates ($268 vs. $312).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleary College students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 47%)

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.