AQ vs. Thiel College

Comparable Facts

Compare Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI with Thiel College in Greenville, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Aquinas College is larger than Thiel College based on total student enrollment (1,157 students vs. 950 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Aquinas College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Thiel College is in Greenville, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Thiel College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; Thiel College 12:1.

AQ vs. Thiel College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or Thiel College? 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 Thiel College ($18,018 vs. $22,545).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 24.7% lower than at Thiel College ($11,680 vs. $15,504).
• Aquinas College is 4.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thiel College (about $1,874 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $38,344.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.9% higher at AQ than at Thiel College (about $1,874 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $38,344.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College as at Thiel College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 10.5% larger than aid received by Thiel College students ($33,535 vs. $30,356).

AQ vs. Thiel College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AQ or Thiel College? 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 Thiel College and AQ.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Thiel College (1070) is 40 points higher than at AQ (1030).
• Incoming AQ students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Thiel College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 910/1140; Thiel College 965/1165.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 20/26; Thiel College 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; Thiel College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Thiel College (3.1).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than Thiel College (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 11.4% at Thiel College.

AQ vs. Thiel College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and Thiel College? 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 Thiel College's (39%).
• Graduates from Aquinas College earn a median of about $200 more per year than Thiel College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Aquinas College graduates have a $1,876 lower median loan debt than Thiel College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,876).
• Among borrowers, AQ graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Thiel College graduates ($268 vs. $288).
• More Thiel College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AQ students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 60%)

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.