AQ vs. North Carolina Wesleyan University

Comparable Facts

Compare Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI with North Carolina Wesleyan University in Rocky Mount, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina Wesleyan University is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (1,419 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Aquinas College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); North Carolina Wesleyan University is in Rocky Mount, NC (Small City setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. North Carolina Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; North Carolina Wesleyan University 13:1.

AQ vs. North Carolina Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or North Carolina Wesleyan 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 North Carolina Wesleyan University ($18,018 vs. $18,472).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 12.5% lower than at North Carolina Wesleyan University ($11,680 vs. $13,348).
• Aquinas College is 12.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than North Carolina Wesleyan University (about $4,482 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $35,736.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.5% higher at AQ than at North Carolina Wesleyan University (about $4,482 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $35,736.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College as at North Carolina Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 6.3% larger than aid received by North Carolina Wesleyan University students ($33,535 vs. $31,552).

AQ vs. North Carolina Wesleyan University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AQ or North Carolina Wesleyan 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 North Carolina Wesleyan University and AQ.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Aquinas College (1030) is 40 points higher than at North Carolina Wesleyan University (990).
• Incoming AQ students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 18 at North Carolina Wesleyan University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 910/1140; North Carolina Wesleyan University 860/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 20/26; North Carolina Wesleyan University 15/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; North Carolina Wesleyan University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at North Carolina Wesleyan University (3.2).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than North Carolina Wesleyan University (80.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 17.5% at North Carolina Wesleyan University.

AQ vs. North Carolina Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and North Carolina Wesleyan 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 North Carolina Wesleyan University's (22%).
• Graduates from North Carolina Wesleyan University earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,200 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina Wesleyan University graduates have a $3,282 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($22,718 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, North Carolina Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($234 vs. $268).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Carolina Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 39%)

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.