AQ vs. UWM

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (22,450 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 Milwaukee is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 17:1.

AQ vs. UWM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or UWM? 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 Milwaukee than AQ ($16,263 vs. $18,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 0% lower than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee ($11,680 vs. $11,684).
• Aquinas College is 286.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UWM (about $29,820 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $10,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79.6% higher at AQ than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (about $17,820 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $22,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 428.4% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Milwaukee students ($33,535 vs. $6,347).

AQ vs. UWM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AQ or UWM? 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 UWM and AQ.

• Incoming AQ students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at UWM).
• 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 Milwaukee 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; UWM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWM Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at UWM (3.16).
• UWM has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than AQ (89.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 23.8% at UWM.

AQ vs. UWM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and UWM? 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 University of Wisconsin Milwaukee's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates have a $1,042 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($24,958 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UWM graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More UWM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AQ students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.