EIU vs. AQ

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL with Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Illinois University is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (8,505 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting); Aquinas College is in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting).
• Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Illinois University 14:1; Aquinas College 10:1.

EIU vs. AQ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU 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 Eastern Illinois University than AQ ($13,787 vs. $18,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 4.9% lower than at Eastern Illinois University ($11,680 vs. $12,282).
• Aquinas College is 194% more expensive for in-state tuition than EIU (about $26,539 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $13,679.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 148% higher at AQ than at Eastern Illinois University (about $24,001 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $16,217.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at Eastern Illinois University (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 158.8% larger than aid received by Eastern Illinois University students ($33,535 vs. $12,960).

EIU vs. AQ Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU 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 EIU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Aquinas College (1030) is 40 points higher than at EIU (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Illinois University 880/1090; Aquinas College 910/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsAquinas College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EIU - Test optional; AQ - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at EIU (3.39).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than EIU (65.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at EIU vs. 11.8% at AQ.

EIU vs. AQ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EIU 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).

• Eastern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Aquinas College's (52%).
• Graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,500 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Illinois University graduates have a $2,350 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($23,650 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, EIU graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($244 vs. $268).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EIU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 59%)

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.