AQ vs. Southwestern Adventist University

Should I go to Aquinas College or Southwestern Adventist University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if AQ or Southwestern Adventist University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Aquinas College vs. Southwestern Adventist University comparison
Aquinas College Southwestern Adventist University College 3 College 4
Aquinas College
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Overview

AQ Southwestern Adventist University
Location Grand Rapids, MI Keene, TX
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 1,265 793
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #819
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic Seventh Day Adventists - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website aquinas.edu swau.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

AQ Southwestern Adventist University
Tuition (In State) $36,480 $23,400
Tuition (Out of State) $36,480 $23,400
Room & Board $10,572 $8,600
Avg Net Price $18,605 $20,028
Avg Grant Aid $30,049 $13,959
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

AQ Southwestern Adventist University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,116 1,438
Admitted 1,921 771
Acceptance Rate 90.8% 53.6%Open
Enrolled % 16% 16.9%Open
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/24
SAT Range 1000/1180 900/1180
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

AQ Southwestern Adventist University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Health Professions (29%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

AQ Southwestern Adventist University
Graduation Rate 52% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $42,600
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 49%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $268

Diversity

AQ Southwestern Adventist University
% Men 43% 41%
% Women 57% 59%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 82% 21%
% Black 3% 14%
% Hispanic 6% 41%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 2%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 1% 14%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

AQ Southwestern Adventist University
% In-State 84% 85%
% Out-of-State 13% 13%

Campus

AQ Southwestern Adventist University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Aquinas College is larger than than Southwestern Adventist University based on total student enrollment (1,265 students vs. 793 students)

AQ vs. Southwestern Adventist University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or Southwestern Adventist University?

  • Aquinas College is 55.9% more expensive to attend than Southwestern Adventist University for in-state tuition ($36,480.00 vs. $23,400.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 55.9% higher at AQ than Southwestern Adventist University ($36,480.00 vs. $23,400.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Aquinas College than Southwestern Adventist University ($18,605 vs. $20,028)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern Adventist University are 22.9% lower than costs at Aquinas College ($8,600 vs. $10,572)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Aquinas College than Southwestern Adventist University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 115.3% larger than aid received Southwestern Adventist University ($30,049 vs. $13,959)

AQ vs. Southwestern Adventist University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AQ or Southwestern Adventist University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Southwestern Adventist University or AQ .

  • The average SAT score at Aquinas College (1090) is 186 points higher than at Southwestern Adventist University (904)
  • Incoming AQ students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Southwestern Adventist University (20)
  • Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Southwestern Adventist University (3.3)
  • AQ has a higher acceptance rate (90.8%) than Southwestern Adventist University (53.6%)

AQ vs. Southwestern Adventist University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, AQ or Southwestern Adventist University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Southwestern Adventist University and AQ.

  • The graduation rate at AQ is higher than Southwestern Adventist University (52% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Southwestern Adventist University earn on average $2,600 more per year than AQ graduates after ten years. ($42,600 vs. $40,000)
  • Southwestern Adventist University and AQ graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($26,000 vs. $26,000)
  • Southwestern Adventist University and AQ graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($268 vs. $268)
  • More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwestern Adventist University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 49%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/