AQ vs. WSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI with Wayne State University in Detroit, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wayne State University is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Aquinas College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Wayne State University is in Detroit, MI (Large City setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; Wayne State University 14:1.

AQ vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ or WSU? 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 Wayne State University than AQ ($14,416 vs. $18,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 18% lower than at Wayne State University ($11,680 vs. $14,252).
• Aquinas College is 164.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $25,028 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $15,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.5% higher at AQ than at Wayne State University (about $8,181 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $32,037.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at Wayne State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 158.9% larger than aid received by Wayne State University students ($33,535 vs. $12,953).

AQ vs. WSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wayne State University (1170) is 140 points higher than at AQ (1030).
• Incoming WSU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at AQ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 910/1140; Wayne State University 1060/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 20/26; Wayne State University 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; WSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at WSU (3.42).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than WSU (81.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 22.4% at WSU.

AQ vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ and WSU? 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 Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Wayne State University earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $3,742 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($22,258 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($230 vs. $268).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 38%)

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.