AQ vs. Michigan State

Comparable Facts

Compare Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI with Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Michigan State University is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Aquinas College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Michigan State University is in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; Michigan State University 17:1.

AQ vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or Michigan State? 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 Michigan State ($18,018 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 7% lower than at Michigan State University ($11,680 vs. $12,564).
• Aquinas College is 144.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan State (about $23,760 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $16,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9% higher at Michigan State than at Aquinas College (about $3,624 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $40,218.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at Michigan State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 243.9% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($33,535 vs. $9,750).

AQ vs. Michigan State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 240 points higher than at AQ (1030).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at AQ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 910/1140; Michigan State University 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 20/26; Michigan State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; Michigan State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at AQ (3.52).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than Michigan State (84.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 18.3% at Michigan State.

AQ vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and Michigan State? 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).

• Michigan State University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Aquinas College's (52%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $20,000 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $516 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($25,484 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($263 vs. $268).
• More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AQ students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.