AQ vs. JC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Jamestown is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (1,376 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Aquinas College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); University of Jamestown is in Jamestown, ND (Remote Town setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Jamestown is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; University of Jamestown 13:1.

AQ vs. JC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or JC? 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 JC ($18,018 vs. $20,510).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Jamestown are 14.5% lower than at Aquinas College ($9,990 vs. $11,680).
• Aquinas College is 60.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than JC (about $15,228 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $24,990.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.9% higher at AQ than at University of Jamestown (about $15,228 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $24,990.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College as at University of Jamestown (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 91.1% larger than aid received by University of Jamestown students ($33,535 vs. $17,548).

AQ vs. JC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Aquinas College (1030) is 10 points higher than at JC (1020).
• Incoming AQ students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at JC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 910/1140; University of Jamestown 900/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 20/26; University of Jamestown 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; JC - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at JC (3.25).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than JC (88.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 36.1% at JC.

AQ vs. JC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and JC? 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 University of Jamestown's (43%).
• Graduates from University of Jamestown earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Jamestown and AQ graduates have the same median loan debt ($26,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, University of Jamestown and AQ graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($268 vs. $268).
• More JC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AQ students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 60%)

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.