AQ vs. Coker

Comparable Facts

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

Coker University is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (1,325 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Aquinas College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Coker University is in Hartsville, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Coker University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; Coker University 12:1.

AQ vs. Coker Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or Coker? 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 Coker ($18,018 vs. $19,823).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 3.6% lower than at Coker University ($11,680 vs. $12,114).
• Aquinas College is 20.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Coker (about $6,802 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $33,416.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.4% higher at AQ than at Coker University (about $6,802 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $33,416.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at Coker University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 26.8% larger than aid received by Coker University students ($33,535 vs. $26,449).

AQ vs. Coker Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Coker University (1050) is 20 points higher than at AQ (1030).
• Incoming AQ students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Coker).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 910/1140; Coker University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 20/26; Coker University 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; Coker - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Coker (3.1).
• Coker has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than AQ (89.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 22.7% at Coker.

AQ vs. Coker Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and Coker? 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 Coker University's (49%).
• Graduates from Aquinas College earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than Coker graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $35,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Aquinas College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Coker graduates ($26,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, AQ graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Coker graduates ($268 vs. $289).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Coker students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 41%)

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.