AQ vs. Lakeland University

Comparable Facts

Compare Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI with Lakeland University in Plymouth, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lakeland University is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (2,813 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Aquinas College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Lakeland University is in Plymouth, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lakeland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; Lakeland University 12:1.

AQ vs. Lakeland University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or Lakeland University? 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 Lakeland University ($18,018 vs. $24,253).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 3.8% lower than at Lakeland University ($11,680 vs. $12,140).
• Aquinas College is 20.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lakeland University (about $6,822 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $33,396.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.4% higher at AQ than at Lakeland University (about $6,822 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $33,396.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College as at Lakeland University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 36.5% larger than aid received by Lakeland University students ($33,535 vs. $24,559).

AQ vs. Lakeland University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 910/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; Lakeland University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Lakeland University (3.0).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than Lakeland University (86.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 16.1% at Lakeland University.

AQ vs. Lakeland University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and Lakeland University? 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 Lakeland University's (42%).
• Graduates from Lakeland University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lakeland University graduates have a $542 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($25,458 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Lakeland University graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($263 vs. $268).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lakeland University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 57%)

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.