IU East vs. AQ

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University East in Richmond, IN with Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Indiana University East is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (3,203 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University East is located in Richmond, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Aquinas College is in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting).
• Indiana University East is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University East 15:1; Aquinas College 10:1.

IU East vs. AQ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU East 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 Indiana University East than AQ ($8,718 vs. $18,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University East are 6.1% lower than at Aquinas College ($10,972 vs. $11,680).
• Aquinas College is 377.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU East (about $31,794 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.3% higher at AQ than at Indiana University East (about $17,407 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $22,811.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at Indiana University East (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 314.2% larger than aid received by Indiana University East students ($33,535 vs. $8,096).

IU East vs. AQ Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU East 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 IU East.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University East (1070) is 40 points higher than at AQ (1030).
• Incoming AQ students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at IU East).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University East 960/1170; Aquinas College 910/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University East 19/24; Aquinas College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU East - Test optional; AQ - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IU East Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at IU East (3.41).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than IU East (67.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at IU East vs. 11.8% at AQ.

IU East vs. AQ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU East 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).

• Aquinas College's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Indiana University East's (19%).
• Graduates from Aquinas College earn a median of about $7,100 more per year than IU East graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $32,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University East graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, IU East graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($211 vs. $268).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU East students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 40%)

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.