University of Illinois Springfield vs. AQ

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Springfield in Springfield, IL with Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Springfield is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (4,628 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Springfield is located in Springfield, IL (Midsize City setting); Aquinas College is in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting).
• University of Illinois Springfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Springfield 13:1; Aquinas College 10:1.

University of Illinois Springfield vs. AQ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Illinois Springfield 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 University of Illinois Springfield than AQ ($10,809 vs. $18,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 4.6% lower than at University of Illinois Springfield ($11,680 vs. $12,242).
• Aquinas College is 228.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Illinois Springfield (about $27,966 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $12,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.7% higher at AQ than at University of Illinois Springfield (about $18,201 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $22,017.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at University of Illinois Springfield (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 128.7% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Springfield students ($33,535 vs. $14,666).

University of Illinois Springfield vs. AQ Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Illinois Springfield 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 University of Illinois Springfield.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Springfield (1070) is 40 points higher than at AQ (1030).
• Incoming University of Illinois Springfield students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at AQ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Springfield 940/1200; Aquinas College 910/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Springfield 21/27; Aquinas College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Illinois Springfield - Test optional; AQ - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at University of Illinois Springfield (3.46).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than University of Illinois Springfield (85.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at University of Illinois Springfield vs. 11.8% at AQ.

University of Illinois Springfield vs. AQ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Illinois Springfield 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).

• University of Illinois Springfield's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Aquinas College's (52%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Springfield earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Springfield graduates have a $7,207 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($18,793 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Illinois Springfield graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($194 vs. $268).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Illinois Springfield students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 59%)

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.