IWU vs. AQ

Comparable Facts

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

Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (2,204 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is located in Marion, IN (Distant Town setting); Aquinas College is in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting).
• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 12:1; Aquinas College 10:1.

IWU vs. AQ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU 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 IWU ($18,018 vs. $23,402).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion are 7% lower than at Aquinas College ($10,868 vs. $11,680).
• Aquinas College is 24.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than IWU (about $7,866 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $32,352.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.3% higher at AQ than at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion (about $7,866 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $32,352.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion as at Aquinas College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 56.7% larger than aid received by Indiana Wesleyan University Marion students ($33,535 vs. $21,405).

IWU vs. AQ Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU 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 IWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion (1070) is 40 points higher than at AQ (1030).
• Incoming IWU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at AQ (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 960/1180; Aquinas College 910/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 19/28; Aquinas College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; AQ - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at AQ (3.52).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than IWU (88.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17% at IWU vs. 11.8% at AQ.

IWU vs. AQ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU 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).

• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Aquinas College's (52%).
• Graduates from Indiana Wesleyan University Marion earn a median of about $14,300 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana Wesleyan University Marion graduates have a $1,896 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($24,104 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, IWU graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($249 vs. $268).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IWU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 55%)

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.