AQ vs. Cottey College

Comparable Facts

Compare Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI with Cottey College in Nevada, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Aquinas College is larger than Cottey College based on total student enrollment (1,157 students vs. 254 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Aquinas College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Cottey College is in Nevada, MO (Remote Town setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cottey College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; Cottey College 6:1.

AQ vs. Cottey College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or Cottey 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 Cottey College than AQ ($14,704 vs. $18,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cottey College are 3.8% lower than at Aquinas College ($11,240 vs. $11,680).
• Aquinas College is 45.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cottey College (about $12,656 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $27,562.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.9% higher at AQ than at Cottey College (about $12,656 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $27,562.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College as at Cottey College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 36.5% larger than aid received by Cottey College students ($33,535 vs. $24,565).

AQ vs. Cottey College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cottey College (1080) is 50 points higher than at AQ (1030).
• Incoming AQ students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Cottey College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 910/1140; Cottey College 1030/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 20/26; Cottey College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; Cottey College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Cottey College (3.39).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than Cottey College (69.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 21.6% at Cottey College.

AQ vs. Cottey College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and Cottey 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).

• Graduates from Aquinas College earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than Cottey College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $33,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cottey College graduates have a $14,000 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($12,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Cottey College graduates have an estimated $144 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($124 vs. $268).
• More Cottey College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AQ students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 60%)

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.