Baker vs. AQ

Comparable Facts

Compare Baker University in Baldwin City, KS with Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Baker University is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (2,017 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Baker University is located in Baldwin City, KS (Distant Town setting); Aquinas College is in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting).
• Baker University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Baker University 13:1; Aquinas College 10:1.

Baker vs. AQ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Baker or AQ? 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 Baker ($18,018 vs. $26,211).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Baker University are 3.7% lower than at Aquinas College ($11,250 vs. $11,680).
• Aquinas College is 13.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Baker (about $4,918 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $35,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.9% higher at AQ than at Baker University (about $4,918 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $35,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Baker University as at Aquinas College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 35.6% larger than aid received by Baker University students ($33,535 vs. $24,733).

Baker vs. AQ Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Baker University (1050) is 20 points higher than at AQ (1030).
• Incoming AQ students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Baker).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Baker University 970/1130; Aquinas College 910/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Baker University 18/23; Aquinas College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Baker - Test optional; AQ - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Baker (3.45).
• Baker has a higher acceptance rate (94.2%) than AQ (89.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.5% at Baker vs. 11.8% at AQ.

Baker vs. AQ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Baker and AQ? 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).

• Baker University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Aquinas College's (52%).
• Graduates from Baker University earn a median of about $16,000 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,000 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Baker University graduates have a $1,001 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($24,999 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Baker graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More Baker graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AQ students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.