IU Northwest vs. AQ

Comparable Facts

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

Indiana University Northwest is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (3,041 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

IU Northwest vs. AQ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU Northwest 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 Northwest than AQ ($5,745 vs. $18,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Northwest 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 Northwest (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 Northwest (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 Northwest (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 302.7% larger than aid received by Indiana University Northwest students ($33,535 vs. $8,327).

IU Northwest vs. AQ Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University Northwest (1050) is 20 points higher than at AQ (1030).
• Incoming AQ students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at IU Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 910/1180; Aquinas College 910/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 18/26; Aquinas College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU Northwest - Test optional; AQ - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at IU Northwest (3.14).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than IU Northwest (73.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.5% at IU Northwest vs. 11.8% at AQ.

IU Northwest vs. AQ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU Northwest 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 Northwest's (23%).
• Graduates from Aquinas College earn a median of about $500 more per year than IU Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Northwest graduates have a $970 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($25,030 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, IU Northwest graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Northwest students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 33%)

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.