AQ vs. Northland College

Comparable Facts

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

Aquinas College is larger than Northland College based on total student enrollment (1,157 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Aquinas College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Northland College is in Ashland, WI (Remote Town setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northland College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; Northland College 5:1.

AQ vs. Northland College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or Northland 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 Aquinas College than Northland College ($18,018 vs. $23,253).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northland College are 0.7% lower than at Aquinas College ($11,600 vs. $11,680).
• Northland College is 10.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than AQ (about $4,185 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $40,218.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.4% higher at Northland College than at Aquinas College (about $4,185 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $40,218.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College as at Northland College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northland College students is 0.1% larger than aid received by Aquinas College students ($33,572 vs. $33,535).

AQ vs. Northland College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northland College (1050) is 20 points higher than at AQ (1030).
• Incoming AQ students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Northland College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 910/1140; Northland College 950/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 20/26; Northland College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; Northland College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Northland College (3.3).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than Northland College (75%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 9.6% at Northland College.

AQ vs. Northland College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and Northland 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).

• Aquinas College's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Northland College's (48%).
• Graduates from Aquinas College earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Northland College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Aquinas College graduates have a $943 lower median loan debt than Northland College graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,943).
• Among borrowers, AQ graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northland College graduates ($268 vs. $278).
• More Northland College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AQ students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.