AQ vs. Bethel

Comparable Facts

Compare Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI with Bethel University in McKenzie, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bethel University is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (2,936 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Aquinas College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Bethel University is in McKenzie, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; Bethel University 15:1.

AQ vs. Bethel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or Bethel? 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 Bethel University than AQ ($13,112 vs. $18,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethel University are 9.8% lower than at Aquinas College ($10,538 vs. $11,680).
• Aquinas College is 114.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bethel (about $21,506 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $18,712.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 114.9% higher at AQ than at Bethel University (about $21,506 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $18,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at Bethel University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 89.5% larger than aid received by Bethel University students ($33,535 vs. $17,700).

AQ vs. Bethel Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AQ or Bethel? 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 Bethel and AQ.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Aquinas College (1030) is 50 points higher than at Bethel (980).
• Incoming AQ students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 18 at Bethel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 910/1140; Bethel University 830/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 20/26; Bethel University 15/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; Bethel - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Bethel students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at AQ (3.52).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than Bethel (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 32.2% at Bethel.

AQ vs. Bethel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and Bethel? 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 Bethel University's (32%).
• Graduates from Bethel University earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Aquinas College graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than Bethel graduates ($26,000 vs. $28,250).
• Among borrowers, AQ graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethel graduates ($268 vs. $292).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 33%)

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.