KY State vs. AQ

Comparable Facts

Compare Kentucky State University in Frankfort, KY with Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Kentucky State University is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (2,020 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kentucky State University is located in Frankfort, KY (Distant Town setting); Aquinas College is in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting).
• Kentucky State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kentucky State University 10:1; Aquinas College 10:1.

KY State vs. AQ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KY State 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 Kentucky State University than AQ ($9,397 vs. $18,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky State University are 25.6% lower than at Aquinas College ($8,686 vs. $11,680).
• Aquinas College is 328.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than KY State (about $30,831 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $9,387.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 194.5% higher at AQ than at Kentucky State University (about $26,560 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $13,658.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at Kentucky State University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 224.3% larger than aid received by Kentucky State University students ($33,535 vs. $10,340).

KY State vs. AQ Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KY State 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 KY State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Aquinas College (1030) is 110 points higher than at KY State (920).
• Incoming AQ students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 17 at KY State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky State University 820/1010; Aquinas College 910/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky State University 14/20; Aquinas College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KY State - Test optional; AQ - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.8 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at KY State (2.72).
• KY State has a higher acceptance rate (96.1%) than AQ (89.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27% at KY State vs. 11.8% at AQ.

KY State vs. AQ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KY State 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 Kentucky State University's (21%).
• Graduates from Aquinas College earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than KY State graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Aquinas College graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than KY State graduates ($26,000 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, AQ graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KY State graduates ($268 vs. $299).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KY State students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 24%)

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.