AQ vs. Northern Michigan University

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Michigan University is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (7,409 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Aquinas College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Northern Michigan University is in Marquette, MI (Remote Town setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; Northern Michigan University 18:1.

AQ vs. Northern Michigan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or Northern Michigan 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 Northern Michigan University than AQ ($15,707 vs. $18,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 12% lower than at Northern Michigan University ($11,680 vs. $13,274).
• Aquinas College is 181.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Michigan University (about $25,941 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $14,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 103.4% higher at AQ than at Northern Michigan University (about $20,445 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $19,773.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at Northern Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 179.2% larger than aid received by Northern Michigan University students ($33,535 vs. $12,012).

AQ vs. Northern Michigan University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AQ or Northern Michigan 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 Northern Michigan 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; Northern Michigan University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Northern Michigan University (3.33).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than Northern Michigan University (84%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 15.3% at Northern Michigan University.

AQ vs. Northern Michigan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and Northern Michigan 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 Northern Michigan University's (48%).
• Graduates from Aquinas College earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Northern Michigan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Michigan University graduates have a $3,708 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($22,292 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Northern Michigan University graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($230 vs. $268).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Michigan University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 56%)

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.