IU South Bend vs. AQ

Comparable Facts

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

Indiana University South Bend is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (4,631 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

IU South Bend vs. AQ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU South Bend 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 South Bend than AQ ($9,003 vs. $18,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University South Bend are 12.8% lower than at Aquinas College ($10,184 vs. $11,680).
• Aquinas College is 377.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU South Bend (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 South Bend (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 South Bend (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 300.6% larger than aid received by Indiana University South Bend students ($33,535 vs. $8,371).

IU South Bend vs. AQ Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU South Bend 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 South Bend.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University South Bend (1070) is 40 points higher than at AQ (1030).
• Incoming AQ students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at IU South Bend).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University South Bend 950/1190; Aquinas College 910/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University South Bend 21/23; Aquinas College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU South Bend - Test optional; AQ - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at IU South Bend (3.24).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than IU South Bend (83.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at IU South Bend vs. 11.8% at AQ.

IU South Bend vs. AQ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU South Bend 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 South Bend's (22%).
• Graduates from Aquinas College earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than IU South Bend graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University South Bend graduates have a $1,470 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($24,530 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, IU South Bend graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($253 vs. $268).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU South Bend students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 47%)

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.