AQ vs. Defiance College

Comparable Facts

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

Aquinas College is larger than Defiance College based on total student enrollment (1,157 students vs. 568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Aquinas College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Defiance College is in Defiance, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Defiance College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; Defiance College 11:1.

AQ vs. Defiance College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or Defiance 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 Defiance College ($18,018 vs. $26,298).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 7.3% lower than at Defiance College ($11,680 vs. $12,606).
• Aquinas College is 37.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Defiance College (about $10,898 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $29,320.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.2% higher at AQ than at Defiance College (about $10,898 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $29,320.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at Defiance College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 24.1% larger than aid received by Defiance College students ($33,535 vs. $27,024).

AQ vs. Defiance College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Aquinas College (1030) is 40 points higher than at Defiance College (990).
• Incoming AQ students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Defiance College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 910/1140; Defiance College 860/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 20/26; Defiance College 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; Defiance College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Defiance College (3.12).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than Defiance College (47.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 21.6% at Defiance College.

AQ vs. Defiance College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and Defiance 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 Defiance College's (51%).
• Graduates from Defiance College earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,700 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Aquinas College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Defiance College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, AQ graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Defiance College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Defiance College students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 58%)

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.