Concordia University Chicago vs. AQ

Comparable Facts

Compare Concordia University Chicago in River Forest, IL with Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Concordia University Chicago is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (4,770 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Concordia University Chicago is located in River Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Aquinas College is in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting).
• Concordia University Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Concordia University Chicago 13:1; Aquinas College 10:1.

Concordia University Chicago vs. AQ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Concordia University Chicago 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 Concordia University Chicago ($18,018 vs. $19,073).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Concordia University Chicago are 1.5% lower than at Aquinas College ($11,510 vs. $11,680).
• Aquinas College is 7.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Concordia University Chicago (about $2,730 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $37,488.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.3% higher at AQ than at Concordia University Chicago (about $2,730 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $37,488.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at Concordia University Chicago (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 27.2% larger than aid received by Concordia University Chicago students ($33,535 vs. $26,361).

Concordia University Chicago vs. AQ Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Concordia University Chicago 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 Concordia University Chicago.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Concordia University Chicago (1090) is 60 points higher than at AQ (1030).
• Incoming AQ students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Concordia University Chicago).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Concordia University Chicago 990/1180; Aquinas College 910/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Concordia University Chicago 19/25; Aquinas College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Concordia University Chicago - Test-free; AQ - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Concordia University Chicago (3.18).
• Concordia University Chicago has a higher acceptance rate (92.8%) than AQ (89.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.7% at Concordia University Chicago vs. 11.8% at AQ.

Concordia University Chicago vs. AQ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Concordia University Chicago 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).

• Concordia University Chicago's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Aquinas College's (52%).
• Graduates from Concordia University Chicago earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,300 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Concordia University Chicago graduates have a $1,049 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($24,951 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Concordia University Chicago graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($257 vs. $268).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Concordia University Chicago students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 57%)

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.