AQ vs. Howard Payne University

Comparable Facts

Compare Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI with Howard Payne University in Brownwood, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Aquinas College is larger than Howard Payne University based on total student enrollment (1,157 students vs. 809 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Aquinas College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Howard Payne University is in Brownwood, TX (Remote Town setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Howard Payne University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; Howard Payne University 10:1.

AQ vs. Howard Payne University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or Howard Payne University? 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 Howard Payne University ($18,018 vs. $25,750).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Howard Payne University are 12.7% lower than at Aquinas College ($10,200 vs. $11,680).
• Aquinas College is 15% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard Payne University (about $5,236 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $34,982.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15% higher at AQ than at Howard Payne University (about $5,236 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $34,982.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at Howard Payne University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 64.7% larger than aid received by Howard Payne University students ($33,535 vs. $20,357).

AQ vs. Howard Payne University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AQ or Howard Payne University? 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 Howard Payne University and AQ.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Aquinas College (1030) is 10 points higher than at Howard Payne University (1020).
• Incoming AQ students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Howard Payne University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 910/1140; Howard Payne University 880/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 20/26; Howard Payne University 16/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; Howard Payne University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Howard Payne University (3.3).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than Howard Payne University (67.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 27% at Howard Payne University.

AQ vs. Howard Payne University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and Howard Payne University? 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 Howard Payne University's (46%).
• Graduates from Howard Payne University earn a median of about $300 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Howard Payne University graduates have a $314 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($25,686 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Howard Payne University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($265 vs. $268).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard Payne University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 58%)

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.