UIU vs. AQ

Comparable Facts

Compare Upper Iowa University in Fayette, IA with Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Upper Iowa University is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (3,941 students vs. 1,157 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Upper Iowa University is located in Fayette, IA (Remote Rural setting); Aquinas College is in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting).
• Upper Iowa University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Upper Iowa University 25:1; Aquinas College 10:1.

UIU vs. AQ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIU 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 UIU ($18,018 vs. $20,426).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Upper Iowa University are 13.3% lower than at Aquinas College ($10,121 vs. $11,680).
• Aquinas College is 106.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UIU (about $20,743 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $19,475.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 106.5% higher at AQ than at Upper Iowa University (about $20,743 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $19,475.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at Upper Iowa University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 146.7% larger than aid received by Upper Iowa University students ($33,535 vs. $13,596).

UIU vs. AQ Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIU or AQ? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between AQ and UIU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Upper Iowa University (1070) is 40 points higher than at AQ (1030).
• Incoming AQ students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 17 at UIU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Upper Iowa University 970/1160; Aquinas College 910/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Upper Iowa University 14/21; Aquinas College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIU - Test optional; AQ - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman AQ students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at UIU (3.34).
• UIU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than AQ (89.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.9% at UIU vs. 11.8% at AQ.

UIU vs. AQ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIU and AQ? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Aquinas College's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Upper Iowa University's (45%).
• Graduates from Upper Iowa University earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,100 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Upper Iowa University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($24,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UIU graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($248 vs. $268).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 50%)

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.