AQ vs. Saginaw Valley State University

Comparable Facts

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

Saginaw Valley State University is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (6,822 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Aquinas College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Saginaw Valley State University is in University Center, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saginaw Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; Saginaw Valley State University 16:1.

AQ vs. Saginaw Valley State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or Saginaw Valley State 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 Saginaw Valley State University than AQ ($11,546 vs. $18,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 5.3% lower than at Saginaw Valley State University ($11,680 vs. $12,340).
• Aquinas College is 211% more expensive for in-state tuition than Saginaw Valley State University (about $27,288 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $12,930.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.1% higher at AQ than at Saginaw Valley State University (about $9,768 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $30,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at Saginaw Valley State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 148.2% larger than aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students ($33,535 vs. $13,512).

AQ vs. Saginaw Valley State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AQ or Saginaw Valley State 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 Saginaw Valley State University and AQ.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saginaw Valley State University (1050) is 20 points higher than at AQ (1030).
• Incoming AQ students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Saginaw Valley State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 910/1140; Saginaw Valley State University 920/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 20/26; Saginaw Valley State University 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; Saginaw Valley State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Saginaw Valley State University (3.48).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than Saginaw Valley State University (72.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 16% at Saginaw Valley State University.

AQ vs. Saginaw Valley State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and Saginaw Valley State 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 Saginaw Valley State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,000 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Aquinas College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, AQ graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 48%)

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.