AQ vs. UW-Stout

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Stout is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (6,926 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 Stout is in Menomonie, WI (Distant Town setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Stout is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; University of Wisconsin Stout 18:1.

AQ vs. UW-Stout Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or UW-Stout? 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 Stout than AQ ($15,673 vs. $18,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Stout are 22.9% lower than at Aquinas College ($9,008 vs. $11,680).
• Aquinas College is 275.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Stout (about $29,517 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $10,701.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108.8% higher at AQ than at University of Wisconsin Stout (about $20,953 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $19,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at University of Wisconsin Stout (100% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 429.4% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Stout students ($33,535 vs. $6,335).

AQ vs. UW-Stout Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming AQ students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at UW-Stout).
• 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 Stout 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; UW-Stout - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UW-Stout Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at UW-Stout (3.35).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than UW-Stout (87.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 24.4% at UW-Stout.

AQ vs. UW-Stout Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and UW-Stout? 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 Stout's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Aquinas College's (52%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Stout graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($25,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UW-Stout graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($263 vs. $268).
• More UW-Stout graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AQ students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.