AQ vs. CUW

Comparable Facts

Compare Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI with Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Concordia University Wisconsin is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (5,253 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Aquinas College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Concordia University Wisconsin is in Mequon, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Concordia University Wisconsin is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; Concordia University Wisconsin 11:1.

AQ vs. CUW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or CUW? 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 CUW ($18,018 vs. $31,916).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 11.5% lower than at Concordia University Wisconsin ($11,680 vs. $13,200).
• Aquinas College is 13.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than CUW (about $4,748 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $35,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.4% higher at AQ than at Concordia University Wisconsin (about $4,748 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $35,470.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at Concordia University Wisconsin (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 56.9% larger than aid received by Concordia University Wisconsin students ($33,535 vs. $21,379).

AQ vs. CUW Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming AQ students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at CUW (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 910/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 20/26; Concordia University Wisconsin 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; CUW - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have the same average high school GPA (3.52) as students at CUW (3.52).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than CUW (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 14.1% at CUW.

AQ vs. CUW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and CUW? 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).

• Concordia University Wisconsin's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Aquinas College's (52%).
• Graduates from Concordia University Wisconsin earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Concordia University Wisconsin graduates have a $2,075 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($23,925 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, CUW graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($247 vs. $268).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CUW students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 52%)

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.