AQ vs. Erskine College

Comparable Facts

Compare Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI with Erskine College in Due West, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Aquinas College is larger than Erskine College based on total student enrollment (1,157 students vs. 912 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Aquinas College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Erskine College is in Due West, SC (Distant Rural setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Erskine College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; Erskine College 15:1.

AQ vs. Erskine College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or Erskine 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 Erskine College ($18,018 vs. $23,882).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 11.8% lower than at Erskine College ($11,680 vs. $13,250).
• Aquinas College is 9.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Erskine College (about $3,508 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.6% higher at AQ than at Erskine College (about $3,508 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College as at Erskine College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 7.6% larger than aid received by Erskine College students ($33,535 vs. $31,174).

AQ vs. Erskine College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Erskine College (1040) is 10 points higher than at AQ (1030).
• Incoming AQ students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Erskine College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 910/1140; Erskine College 920/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 20/26; Erskine College 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; Erskine College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Erskine College (3.26).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than Erskine College (62.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 22.2% at Erskine College.

AQ vs. Erskine College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and Erskine 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).

• Erskine College's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Aquinas College's (52%).
• Graduates from Erskine College earn a median of about $300 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Aquinas College graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Erskine College graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,750).
• Among borrowers, AQ graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Erskine College graduates ($268 vs. $276).
• More Erskine College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AQ students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.