AQ vs. Michigan State

Aquinas College and Michigan State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Aquinas College
Michigan State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Michigan State (84.8% admitted vs 89.9%). Typical SAT 1270 vs 1030.
  • Cheaper after aid: AQ. Average net price is $18,018 vs $23,657 at Michigan State.
  • Graduation: AQ 52% vs Michigan State 77%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: AQ $40,000 vs Michigan State $60,000 (median).
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Key differences

Aquinas College Michigan State University
Acceptance rate
Michigan State more selective
AQ89.9%
Michigan State84.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Michigan State higher
AQ910-1140
Michigan State1180-1360
Average net price
AQ $5,639 less
AQ$18,018
Michigan State$23,657
In-state tuition
Michigan State $23,760 less
AQ$40,218
Michigan State$16,458
Out-of-state tuition
AQ $3,624 less
AQ$40,218
Michigan State$43,842
Graduation rate
Michigan State +25 pts
AQ52%
Michigan State77%
Median earnings (10 years)
Michigan State +$20,000
AQ$40,000
Michigan State$60,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • AQ 2,193
  • Michigan State 62,138
  • Admitted
  • AQ 1,971
  • Michigan State 52,690
  • Acceptance rate
  • AQ 89.9%
  • Michigan State 84.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • AQ 11.8%
  • Michigan State 18.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • AQ 1030
  • Michigan State 1270
  • Typical ACT score
  • AQ 23
  • Michigan State 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • AQ 3.52
  • Michigan State 3.72
  • Typical high school grades
  • AQ A-
  • Michigan State A-
  • Admissions standards
  • AQ Easy
  • Michigan State Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • AQ
  • Michigan State
  • SAT range
  • AQ 910-1140
  • Michigan State 1180-1360
  • ACT range
  • AQ 20-26
  • Michigan State 25-31
  • Submit test scores
  • AQ Test optional
  • Michigan State Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • AQ
  • Michigan State
  • Tuition (in state)
  • AQ $40,218
  • Michigan State $16,458
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • AQ $40,218
  • Michigan State $43,842
  • Room & board
  • AQ $11,680
  • Michigan State $12,564
  • Average net price
  • AQ $18,018
  • Michigan State $23,657
  • Average grant aid
  • AQ $33,535
  • Michigan State $9,750
  • % receiving grant aid
  • AQ 100%
  • Michigan State 88%
  • Graduation rate
  • AQ 52%
  • Michigan State 77%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • AQ $40,000
  • Michigan State $60,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • AQ 60%
  • Michigan State 68%
  • Median student loan debt
  • AQ $26,000
  • Michigan State $25,484
  • Median loan payment
  • AQ $268
  • Michigan State $263
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • AQ 10:1
  • Michigan State 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • AQ
    • Business (15%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Michigan State
    • Business (17%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
  • Location
  • AQ Grand Rapids, MI
  • Michigan State East Lansing, MI
  • Setting
  • AQ Midsize City
  • Michigan State Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • AQ 1,157
  • Michigan State 52,089
  • Type
  • AQ Private 4 Year
  • Michigan State Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • AQ #753
  • Michigan State #241

Comparable Facts

Compare Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI with Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Michigan State University is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 1,157 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Aquinas College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Michigan State University is in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; Michigan State University 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 7% lower than at Michigan State University ($11,680 vs. $12,564).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9% higher at Michigan State than at Aquinas College (about $3,624 more per year; $43,842 vs. $40,218).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at Michigan State University (100% vs. 88%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 243.9% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($33,535 vs. $9,750).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Michigan State than at AQ (28 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both AQ and Michigan State.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Michigan State average a 3.72 high school GPA, 0.2 higher than at AQ (3.52).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 18.3% at Michigan State.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $516 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($25,484 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($263 vs. $268).
  • More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AQ students, three years after graduation (68% vs. 60%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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