AQ vs. UW-La Crosse

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin La Crosse is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (10,446 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 La Crosse is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1.

AQ vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or UW-La Crosse? 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 La Crosse than AQ ($14,712 vs. $18,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 25.5% lower than at Aquinas College ($8,702 vs. $11,680).
• Aquinas College is 299.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-La Crosse (about $30,148 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $10,070.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 106.1% higher at AQ than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (about $20,701 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $19,517.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (100% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 645.4% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($33,535 vs. $4,499).

AQ vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AQ or UW-La Crosse? 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-La Crosse and AQ.

• Incoming UW-La Crosse students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at AQ).
• 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 La Crosse 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; UW-La Crosse - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at AQ (3.52).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than UW-La Crosse (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 43.2% at UW-La Crosse.

AQ vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and UW-La Crosse? 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 La Crosse's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Aquinas College's (52%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UW-La Crosse graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($240 vs. $268).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AQ students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.