AQ vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

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

Western Michigan University is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Aquinas College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

AQ vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or WMU? 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 Western Michigan University than AQ ($17,331 vs. $18,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 4.1% lower than at Western Michigan University ($11,680 vs. $12,174).
• Aquinas College is 163.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $24,966 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 111.3% higher at AQ than at Western Michigan University (about $21,184 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at Western Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 203.5% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($33,535 vs. $11,048).

AQ vs. WMU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 80 points higher than at AQ (1030).
• Incoming AQ students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at WMU (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 910/1140; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 20/26; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at WMU (3.5).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than WMU (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 13.5% at WMU.

AQ vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and WMU? 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).

• Western Michigan University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Aquinas College's (52%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Aquinas College graduates have a $633 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, AQ graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($268 vs. $275).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 54%)

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.