AQ vs. UW-Eau Claire

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (10,049 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 Wisconsin Eau Claire is in Eau Claire, WI (Small City setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; University of Wisconsin Eau Claire 19:1.

AQ vs. UW-Eau Claire Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or UW-Eau Claire? 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 University of Wisconsin Eau Claire than AQ ($15,151 vs. $18,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire are 23.1% lower than at Aquinas College ($8,978 vs. $11,680).
• Aquinas College is 317.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Eau Claire (about $30,576 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $9,642.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 109.2% higher at AQ than at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (about $20,990 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $19,228.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (100% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 492.2% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Eau Claire students ($33,535 vs. $5,663).

AQ vs. UW-Eau Claire Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AQ or UW-Eau Claire? 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 UW-Eau Claire and AQ.

• Incoming AQ students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at UW-Eau Claire (23).
• 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; University of Wisconsin Eau Claire 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; UW-Eau Claire - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UW-Eau Claire Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UW-Eau Claire students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at AQ (3.52).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than UW-Eau Claire (82.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 28.1% at UW-Eau Claire.

AQ vs. UW-Eau Claire Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and UW-Eau Claire? 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).

• University of Wisconsin Eau Claire's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Aquinas College's (52%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,900 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UW-Eau Claire graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($240 vs. $268).
• More UW-Eau Claire graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AQ students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.