Life University vs. AQ

Comparable Facts

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

Life University is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (2,714 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Life University is located in Marietta, GA (Small City setting); Aquinas College is in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting).
• Life University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Life University 15:1; Aquinas College 10:1.

Life University vs. AQ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Life University or AQ? 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 Aquinas College than Life University ($18,018 vs. $29,111).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 21.3% lower than at Life University ($11,680 vs. $14,850).
• Aquinas College is 167.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Life University (about $25,182 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $15,036.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 167.5% higher at AQ than at Life University (about $25,182 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $15,036.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College than at Life University (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 197% larger than aid received by Life University students ($33,535 vs. $11,292).

Life University vs. AQ Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Life University (1030) is the same as at AQ (1030).
• Incoming AQ students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 18 at Life University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Life University 920/1130; Aquinas College 910/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Life University 17/20; Aquinas College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Life University - Test optional; AQ - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Life University (3.11).
• Life University has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than AQ (89.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.1% at Life University vs. 11.8% at AQ.

Life University vs. AQ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Life University and AQ? 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).

• The graduation rate at Life University is the same as at Aquinas College (52% vs. 52%).
• Graduates from Life University earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,900 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Life University graduates have a $17,666 lower median loan debt than AQ graduates ($8,334 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Life University graduates have an estimated $182 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AQ graduates ($86 vs. $268).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Life University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 33%)

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.