Simpson University vs. AQ

Should I go to Simpson University or Aquinas College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Simpson University or AQ is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Simpson University vs. Aquinas College comparison
Simpson University Aquinas College College 3 College 4
Aquinas College
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Overview

 Simpson University AQ
Location Redding, CA Grand Rapids, MI
Setting Rural Fringe Midsize City
Enrollment 874 1,265
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #819
Religious Affiliation Christ and Missionary Alliance Church Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website simpsonu.edu aquinas.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Simpson University AQ
Tuition (In State) $35,980 $36,480
Tuition (Out of State) $35,980 $36,480
Room & Board $11,900 $10,572
Avg Net Price $25,251 $18,605
Avg Grant Aid $27,704 $30,049
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

 Simpson University AQ
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 2,116
Admitted - 1,921
Acceptance Rate 90.8%
Enrolled % 16%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.52
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28
SAT Range 960/1185 1000/1180
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 Simpson University AQ
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Psychology (20%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

 Simpson University AQ
Graduation Rate 43% 52%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,200 $40,000
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $16,668 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $172 $268

Diversity

 Simpson University AQ
% Men 39% 43%
% Women 61% 57%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 60% 82%
% Black 4% 3%
% Hispanic 12% 6%
% Native American 4% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 12% 3%

Students

 Simpson University AQ
% In-State 71% 84%
% Out-of-State 12% 13%

Campus

 Simpson University AQ
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Aquinas College is larger than than Simpson University based on total student enrollment (1,265 students vs. 874 students)

Simpson University vs. AQ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simpson University or AQ?

  • Aquinas College is 1.4% more expensive to attend than Simpson University for in-state tuition ($36,480.00 vs. $35,980.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.4% higher at AQ than Simpson University ($36,480.00 vs. $35,980.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Aquinas College than Simpson University ($18,605 vs. $25,251)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 12.6% lower than costs at Simpson University ($10,572 vs. $11,900)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Aquinas College than Simpson University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 8.5% larger than aid received Simpson University ($30,049 vs. $27,704)

Which college is harder to get into, Simpson University or AQ? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between AQ or Simpson University .

  • The average SAT score at Aquinas College (1090) is 89 points higher than at Simpson University (1001)
  • Incoming AQ students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Simpson University (21)
  • Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Simpson University (3.4)

Simpson University vs. AQ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Simpson University or AQ? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between AQ and Simpson University.

  • The graduation rate at AQ is higher than Simpson University (52% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Aquinas College earn on average $1,800 more per year than Simpson University graduates after ten years. ($40,000 vs. $38,200)
  • Simpson University students graduate with a $9,332 lower median federal student loan debt than AQ graduates. ($16,668 vs. $26,000)
  • Simpson University graduates are paying $96 less per month on federal student loans than AQ graduates. ($172 vs. $268)
  • More Simpson University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AQ students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 60%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/