AQ vs. OC Comets

Comparable Facts

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

Aquinas College is larger than OC Comets based on total student enrollment (1,157 students vs. 979 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Aquinas College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); The University of Olivet is in Olivet, MI (Distant Rural setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Olivet is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; The University of Olivet 17:1.

AQ vs. OC Comets Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or OC Comets? 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 OC Comets ($18,018 vs. $19,362).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 7.1% lower than at The University of Olivet ($11,680 vs. $12,567).
• Aquinas College is 18.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than OC Comets (about $6,150 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $34,068.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.1% higher at AQ than at The University of Olivet (about $6,150 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $34,068.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College as at The University of Olivet (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 20.4% larger than aid received by The University of Olivet students ($33,535 vs. $27,858).

AQ vs. OC Comets Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Aquinas College (1030) is 10 points higher than at OC Comets (1020).
• Incoming AQ students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at OC Comets).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 910/1140; The University of Olivet 910/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 20/26; The University of Olivet 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; OC Comets - Test-free.
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than OC Comets (83.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 20.4% at OC Comets.

AQ vs. OC Comets Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and OC Comets? 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 The University of Olivet's (46%).
• Graduates from Aquinas College earn a median of about $700 more per year than OC Comets graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Aquinas College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than OC Comets graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, AQ graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OC Comets graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OC Comets students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 53%)

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.