AQ vs. Madison College

Comparable Facts

Compare Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI with Madison Area Technical College in Madison, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Madison Area Technical College is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (13,641 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Aquinas College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Madison Area Technical College is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Madison Area Technical College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; Madison Area Technical College 14:1.

AQ vs. Madison College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or Madison College? 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 Madison Area Technical College than AQ ($13,284 vs. $18,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 34.2% lower than at Madison Area Technical College ($11,680 vs. $17,760).
• Aquinas College is 708.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Madison College (about $35,241 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $4,977.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 454.3% higher at AQ than at Madison Area Technical College (about $32,963 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $7,255.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at Madison Area Technical College (100% vs. 36%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 471.1% larger than aid received by Madison Area Technical College students ($33,535 vs. $5,872).

AQ vs. Madison College Admissions comparison

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

• Madison Area Technical College reports an open admissions policy.
• 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.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; Madison College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Madison College Sep 30, 2026.

AQ vs. Madison College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and Madison College? 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).

• Graduates from Aquinas College earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Madison College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $37,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Madison Area Technical College graduates have a $13,000 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($13,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Madison College graduates have an estimated $134 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($134 vs. $268).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Madison College students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 46%)

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.