AQ vs. Cleveland State

Comparable Facts

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

Cleveland State University is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Aquinas College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Cleveland State University is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; Cleveland State University 16:1.

AQ vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or Cleveland State? 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 Cleveland State University than AQ ($16,230 vs. $18,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 22.7% lower than at Cleveland State University ($11,680 vs. $15,104).
• Aquinas College is 209.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cleveland State (about $27,230 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $12,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 117.3% higher at AQ than at Cleveland State University (about $21,708 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at Cleveland State University (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 242.4% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($33,535 vs. $9,795).

AQ vs. Cleveland State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Aquinas College (1030) is 20 points higher than at Cleveland State (1010).
• Incoming AQ students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Cleveland State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 910/1140; Cleveland State University 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 20/26; Cleveland State University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; Cleveland State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than AQ (89.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 15.7% at Cleveland State.

AQ vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and Cleveland State? 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 Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($222 vs. $268).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 47%)

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.