AQ vs. LRC

Comparable Facts

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

La Roche University is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (2,153 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Aquinas College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); La Roche University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. La Roche University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; La Roche University 11:1.

AQ vs. LRC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or LRC? 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 LRC ($18,018 vs. $24,108).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 12.8% lower than at La Roche University ($11,680 vs. $13,390).
• Aquinas College is 18.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than LRC (about $6,166 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $34,052.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.1% higher at AQ than at La Roche University (about $6,166 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $34,052.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at La Roche University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 45.3% larger than aid received by La Roche University students ($33,535 vs. $23,083).

AQ vs. LRC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AQ or LRC? 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 LRC and AQ.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at La Roche University (1070) is 40 points higher than at AQ (1030).
• Incoming AQ students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 18 at LRC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 910/1140; La Roche University 940/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 20/26; La Roche University 15/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; LRC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LRC Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at LRC (3.2).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than LRC (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 9.8% at LRC.

AQ vs. LRC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and LRC? 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 La Roche University's (51%).
• Graduates from La Roche University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,300 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, La Roche University and AQ graduates have the same median loan debt ($26,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, La Roche University and AQ graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($268 vs. $268).
• More LRC 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.