AQ vs. Cornerstone University

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

 AQ Cornerstone University
Location Grand Rapids, MI Grand Rapids, MI
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 1,265 1,781
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #819 #867
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic Interdenominational - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website aquinas.edu cornerstone.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 AQ Cornerstone University
Tuition (In State) $36,480 $27,580
Tuition (Out of State) $36,480 $27,580
Room & Board $10,572 $10,520
Avg Net Price $18,605 $20,935
Avg Grant Aid $30,049 $18,502
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 AQ Cornerstone University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,116 1,926
Admitted 1,921 1,575
Acceptance Rate 90.8% 81.8%
Enrolled % 16% 18.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.28
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/25
SAT Range 1000/1180 970/1220
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline

Academics

 AQ Cornerstone University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Business (56%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (11%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (3%)

Outcomes

 AQ Cornerstone University
Graduation Rate 52% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $38,800
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $258

Diversity

 AQ Cornerstone University
% Men 43% 40%
% Women 57% 60%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 78%
% Black 3% 13%
% Hispanic 6% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 3% 0%

Students

 AQ Cornerstone University
% In-State 84% 80%
% Out-of-State 13% 14%

Campus

 AQ Cornerstone University
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

  • Cornerstone University is larger than than AQ based on total student enrollment (1,781 students vs. 1,265 students)

AQ vs. Cornerstone University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or Cornerstone University?

  • Aquinas College is 32.3% more expensive to attend than Cornerstone University for in-state tuition ($36,480.00 vs. $27,580.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 32.3% higher at AQ than Cornerstone University ($36,480.00 vs. $27,580.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Aquinas College than Cornerstone University ($18,605 vs. $20,935)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornerstone University are 0.5% lower than costs at Aquinas College ($10,520 vs. $10,572)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Aquinas College as Cornerstone University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 62.4% larger than aid received Cornerstone University ($30,049 vs. $18,502)

AQ vs. Cornerstone University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Aquinas College (1090) is 57 points higher than at Cornerstone University (1033)
  • Incoming AQ students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Cornerstone University (22)
  • Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Cornerstone University (3.28)
  • AQ has a higher acceptance rate (90.8%) than Cornerstone University (81.8%)

AQ vs. Cornerstone University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, AQ or Cornerstone University? 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 Cornerstone University and AQ.

  • The graduation rate at AQ is higher than Cornerstone University (52% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Aquinas College earn on average $1,200 more per year than Cornerstone University graduates after ten years. ($40,000 vs. $38,800)
  • Cornerstone University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than AQ graduates. ($25,000 vs. $26,000)
  • Cornerstone University graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than AQ graduates. ($258 vs. $268)
  • More Cornerstone University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AQ students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 60%)

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