Aquinas College
#8 Best Business Colleges in Michigan- Graduation Rate
- 64% C+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $49,584 B-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $16,626 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 90% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 19.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $19.5 over 20 years. Ranked #8 in Best Business Colleges in Michigan.
Every $1 spent returns $19.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,228,496.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 22% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $19.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Aquinas College Matters
Aquinas College is a private liberal arts college in Grand Rapids, MI and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 1,083
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 30
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Psychology
Why students choose Aquinas College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 90% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 910–1140. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $16,626 a year after grants and scholarships — 3% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $49,584 ten years after enrolling — 22% above the typical college, against $23,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 95% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.67 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Aquinas College is a great fit for students looking for a supportive environment with a focus on personal growth. With an acceptance rate of 90%, it welcomes a diverse range of students. Those studying here often dive into programs like Business and Marketing, Education, Health Professions, Biology, and Psychology, which align well with both career aspirations and personal interests.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $49,584 within a decade. This figure gives a solid indication of the potential return on investment for their education. The affordability of Aquinas College is also noteworthy, with a net price of $16,626 after aid. This makes it accessible for many, especially considering that 24% of students receive Pell Grants, which can alleviate financial burdens.
When it comes to financial outcomes, graduates leave with a median debt of $23,000, which is manageable for many in today's job market. Students who thrive here tend to be those who appreciate a close-knit community and are eager to engage in their studies. The college experience at Aquinas can be a launching pad for meaningful careers, particularly in fields that are in demand.
Rankings
- #8 Best Business Colleges in Michigan
- #8 Best Communications Colleges in Michigan
- #13 Best Education Colleges in Michigan
- #17 Best Biology Colleges in Michigan
- #20 Best Psychology Colleges in Michigan
- #23 Best Bachelor's Programs in Michigan
- #24 Best Master's Programs in Michigan
- #25 Best Online Colleges in Michigan
Can I Get In?
How selective Aquinas College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Aquinas College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Aquinas College, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 90%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,025. The graduation rate is roughly 64%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 90%
- Retention Rate
- 78%
- SAT Average
- 1025
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- SAT Range
- 910–1140
- ACT Range
- 20–26
- Full-Time Faculty
- 51%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,660
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.44
- First-Gen Students
- 22%
- Applicants
- 2,116
- Admitted
- 1,921
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Aquinas College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Aquinas College is $40,218, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,626. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,725 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $40,218
- Out-of-State
- $40,218
- Avg Net Price
- $16,626
- Median Debt
- $23,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 24%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 69%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,725
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,222
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $13,594
- Family Income $110K+
- $21,093
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Aquinas College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Aquinas College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Aquinas College earn a median of $49,584, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $40,161
- 8 Years
- $46,514
- 10 Years
- $49,584
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.46x
- Earning > $25K
- 57%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (139)
- 39%
- 100% (139)
- 39%
- 100% (139)
- 39%
- 100% (139)
- 39%
How Aquinas Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Aquinas College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Aquinas College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $16,626/year ($66,504 total). Graduates earn $49,584 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,295,000 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,228,496 (19.5× your investment). The median debt is $23,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 64% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $66,504
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,295,000
- Net Return
- $1,228,496
- ROI Multiple
- 19.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $16,626
- Median Debt
- $23,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 64%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Aquinas College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Aquinas College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.58%, a more modest figure. Access is narrower: only about 3.4% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 17.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $94,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.58%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 17.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.4%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $128,800
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,755,426
- Investment Income
- $-6,513,613
Top Programs
The fields Aquinas College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 27% $49,117 early-career
- Health Professions 9%
- Education 9%
- Psychology 8% $26,014 early-career
- Social Sciences 8%
- Biology & Biomedical 6% $33,550 early-career
- English & Literature 4% $30,901 early-career
- Communications 3% $39,544 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Aquinas College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Aquinas College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Aquinas College, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 90%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,025. The graduation rate is roughly 64%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Aquinas College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Aquinas College is $40,218, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,626. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,725 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,000 in federal student loans.
Is Aquinas College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Aquinas College earn a median of $49,584, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Aquinas College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Aquinas College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.58%, a more modest figure. Access is narrower: only about 3.4% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 17.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $94,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Aquinas College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Aquinas College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.67, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Aquinas College.
- Bethel UniversityMishawaka, IN · Close peer55% grad $48,860 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Westminster CollegeNew Wilmington, PA · Close peer65% grad $53,861 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Huntington UniversityHuntington, IN · Close peer66% grad $46,672 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- West Virginia Wesleyan CollegeBuckhannon, WV · Close peer53% grad $51,593 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar net price
- Northwestern CollegeOrange City, IA · Close peer65% grad $49,802 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Piedmont UniversityDemorest, GA · Close peer44% grad $49,130 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Aquinas College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Aquinas College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.67, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note