La Sierra University vs. AQ

Comparable Facts

Compare La Sierra University in Riverside, CA with Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

La Sierra University is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (1,574 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Sierra University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Aquinas College is in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting).
• La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: La Sierra University 12:1; Aquinas College 10:1.

La Sierra University vs. AQ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, La Sierra University 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 La Sierra University ($18,018 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 13% lower than at La Sierra University ($11,680 vs. $13,431).
• Aquinas College is 6.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than La Sierra University (about $2,508 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $37,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.7% higher at AQ than at La Sierra University (about $2,508 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $37,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at La Sierra University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 21.3% larger than aid received by La Sierra University students ($33,535 vs. $27,646).

La Sierra University vs. AQ Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, La Sierra University 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 La Sierra University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Aquinas College (1030) is 20 points higher than at La Sierra University (1010).
• Incoming La Sierra University 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: La Sierra University 880/1140; Aquinas College 910/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Sierra University 18/28; Aquinas College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: La Sierra University - Test-free; AQ - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman La Sierra University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at AQ (3.52).
• La Sierra University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than AQ (89.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at La Sierra University vs. 11.8% at AQ.

La Sierra University vs. AQ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for La Sierra University 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 La Sierra University's (32%).
• Graduates from La Sierra University earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,900 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Aquinas College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($26,000 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, AQ graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($268 vs. $310).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 52%)

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.