AQ vs. OUAZ-Surprise

Comparable Facts

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

Aquinas College is larger than OUAZ-Surprise based on total student enrollment (1,157 students vs. 912 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

AQ vs. OUAZ-Surprise Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or OUAZ-Surprise? 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 OUAZ-Surprise ($18,018 vs. $34,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 29.2% lower than at Ottawa University Surprise ($11,680 vs. $16,500).
• Aquinas College is 12.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than OUAZ-Surprise (about $4,338 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $35,880.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.1% higher at AQ than at Ottawa University Surprise (about $4,338 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $35,880.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College as at Ottawa University Surprise (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 83% larger than aid received by Ottawa University Surprise students ($33,535 vs. $18,321).

AQ vs. OUAZ-Surprise Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AQ or OUAZ-Surprise? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between OUAZ-Surprise and AQ.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Aquinas College (1030) is 30 points higher than at OUAZ-Surprise (1000).
• Incoming AQ students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 18 at OUAZ-Surprise).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Aquinas College 910/1140; Ottawa University Surprise 840/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Aquinas College 20/26; Ottawa University Surprise 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; OUAZ-Surprise - Test optional.
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than OUAZ-Surprise (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 26.3% at OUAZ-Surprise.

AQ vs. OUAZ-Surprise Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and OUAZ-Surprise? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Aquinas College's six-year graduation rate is 52%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for OUAZ-Surprise.
• Graduates from Aquinas College have median earnings of about $40,000 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for OUAZ-Surprise.

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.