Loras College vs. AQ

Comparable Facts

Compare Loras College in Dubuque, IA with Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Loras College is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (1,189 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Loras College is located in Dubuque, IA (Small City setting); Aquinas College is in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting).
• Loras College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Loras College 12:1; Aquinas College 10:1.

Loras College vs. AQ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Loras College 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 Loras College ($18,018 vs. $21,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Loras College are 5.8% lower than at Aquinas College ($11,000 vs. $11,680).
• Aquinas College is 1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Loras College (about $394 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $39,824.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at AQ than at Loras College (about $394 more per year; $40,218.00 vs. $39,824.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Loras College as at Aquinas College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Aquinas College students is 16.3% larger than aid received by Loras College students ($33,535 vs. $28,835).

Loras College vs. AQ Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Loras College 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 Loras College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsAquinas College 910/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsAquinas College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Loras College - Test-free; AQ - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Loras College (3.48).
• Loras College has a higher acceptance rate (99.9%) than AQ (89.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Loras College vs. 11.8% at AQ.

Loras College vs. AQ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Loras College 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).

• Loras College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Aquinas College's (52%).
• Graduates from Loras College earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Aquinas College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Loras College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, AQ graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loras College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Loras College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AQ students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.