Aquinas College
Grand Rapids, Michigan · Private Nonprofit · 89.9% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 44/100 · Poor Value
Aquinas College scores 44 (Poor Value) — a weak result for a small private Catholic liberal arts college in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The school charges $40,218 in tuition against a $16,626 average net price, and delivers $32,000 median 6-year earnings with a 14.2-year payback period. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.719 means graduates owe 72 cents per dollar of annual earnings. The 65.4% completion rate is below average for the price point, and the repayment rate of 72.1% after three years is concerning. Most programs here earn C to D ROI grades; only accounting earns meaningfully above the median. Students who cannot bring net price below $15,000 through aid face an uphill financial battle with most program choices at Aquinas.
The data raises concerns about Aquinas College
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score44/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
Aquinas College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $40,218/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $40,218/yr |
| Average net price | $16,626/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $66,504 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $49,584 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $32,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $244 |
| Estimated payback period | 14.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 65.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,083 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Aquinas College is $40,218/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $16,626/year, or roughly $66,504 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $10,725/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $21,093/year.
The median graduate leaves with $23,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $244 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $49,584 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.72 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,725 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,222 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,594 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,468 |
| $110,001+ | $21,093 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $10,725 net per year — about $43,000 over four years. At $32,000 median earnings, low-income graduates face a payback extending well beyond a decade. The 65.4% completion rate means roughly one in three students who enroll do not finish, generating debt without the degree premium.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 bracket pays $13,594 net and the $75,001-$110,000 bracket pays $15,468. At these prices, the financial case is more defensible for students targeting accounting or business. But most programs at Aquinas do not produce earnings that justify even $13,000-$15,000 annual net costs for middle-income families.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $21,093 net per year — about $84,000 over four years. The ROI at this price is poor for most programs. High-income families who value Aquinas's specific Catholic liberal arts environment may find non-financial reasons to attend, but the earnings data does not support this investment on financial terms alone.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Aquinas College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $74,404 | C |
| Teacher Education | $45,713 | C |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $51,806 | D |
| Psychology | $45,698 | D |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $46,148 | D |
| Accounting | $76,274 | - |
| Business/Corporate Communications | $49,378 | C+ |
| Communication and Media Studies | $48,075 | C |
| Sustainability Studies | $60,285 | - |
| Biology | $51,002 | D |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Accounting
Accounting (12 graduates) earns $63,311 at year one and $76,274 at year four — Aquinas's strongest earnings by a significant margin. No debt-to-earnings data is reported for this program. The small cohort limits data reliability, but accounting graduates in the Grand Rapids business market command competitive wages. This is the one program at Aquinas that produces strong near-term outcomes.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (46 graduates) earns $44,913 at year one and $74,404 at year four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.579 (ROI grade C) and $26,000 median debt. The four-year trajectory to $74k is workable for students who enter regional management or sales roles, but the near-term earnings are underwhelming for a private school at this price. Business is Aquinas's largest program by volume with defensible, if unexciting, returns.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education (35 graduates) earns $45,713 at year one with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.613 (ROI grade C) and $28,000 median debt. Michigan teacher salaries in the K-12 market are modest at entry, and the debt load here is high relative to starting wages. Education graduates who stay in Michigan public schools will see salary growth, but early-career financial strain is real.
Psychology
Psychology (18 graduates) earns $31,789 at year one with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.849 (ROI grade D) and $27,000 median debt. Psychology at Aquinas's price point is a poor financial bet without a clear path to graduate school. Year-one earnings near $32k against $27k in debt is a difficult starting position.
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
Rhetoric and Composition (4 graduates) earns $17,827 at year one with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.506 (ROI grade F) and $26,844 median debt. This is the worst-performing program at Aquinas: year-one earnings are near poverty level, and graduates owe 1.5 times their annual salary. Writing and communication skills are valuable, but this program's financial outcomes at this price point are unjustifiable.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 70.1% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 72.1% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 66.7% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 70.7% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 89.9% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 440-550 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 470-590 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 20-26 |
| Enrollment | 1,083 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 23.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $6,660 |
A 89.9% acceptance rate with ACT 20-26 makes Aquinas broadly accessible — near-open-access admissions. Admission is not a hurdle here; financial aid packaging and program choice are the binding decisions.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Aquinas's listed peers include Adrian College, Albion College, Georgetown College, La Sierra University, and Lakeland University. Albion College is a stronger peer — also a small Michigan liberal arts college — with better brand recognition in Michigan and comparable selectivity. Adrian College is similar in profile but with weaker outcomes. Georgetown College (KY) and Lakeland University are comparable small religious liberal arts schools. Aquinas's ROI score of 44 places it at the weaker end of this peer group, though the peer group itself is largely composed of similarly challenged small private schools.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aquinas College (this school) | 44 | $16,626 | $49,584 |
| Albion College | 65 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| Georgetown College | 47 | $14,095 | $52,074 |
| Lakeland University | 44 | $24,212 | $55,961 |
| La Sierra University | 41 | $45,566 | $61,824 |
| Adrian College | 39 | $25,368 | $55,504 |
Who Thrives Here
Aquinas admits 89.9% of applicants with ACT 20-26 mid-range and SAT 440-550 Math — a profile similar to many regional comprehensives. The 1,083-student enrollment is small. Aquinas attracts students who value a Catholic liberal arts environment in the Grand Rapids area. The 23.9% Pell rate is below average for a school of this type, suggesting it primarily serves lower-middle and middle-income families. Students who prioritize the Dominican Catholic academic tradition and can secure significant merit aid may find value; students who need strong ROI should look at Grand Valley State University or other Michigan public options that deliver better financial outcomes at lower cost.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Aquinas College. With a net cost of $16,626 per year and median graduate earnings of only $49,584 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 14.2 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include high debt relative to what graduates earn and a long payback period.
Median debt of $23,000 against $49,584 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.