At $18,902/yr net price, Aquinas College graduates earn $49,584/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $15,584/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,902 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $75,608 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $49,584/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$15,584/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 62.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,141/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,131/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,423/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,544/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,349/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. | Master | $54,869 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $41,338 | |
| Business/Corporate Communications. | Bachelor | $41,193 | $21,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $40,821 | $20,000 |
| Sustainability Studies. | Bachelor | $38,871 | |
| Community Organization and Advocacy. | Bachelor | $37,568 | |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $33,993 | $21,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $33,281 | $20,457 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor | $33,281 | |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $28,816 |
The Risk Factor
62.5% of students at Aquinas College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 38% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Aquinas College gives you a mixed financial picture. The median graduate earns $49,584 ten years out, while median debt sits at $23,000, so your debt roughly matches half a single year's pay after a decade. That's a manageable ratio, and the 62.5% graduation rate means most of you finish, which is the single biggest factor in whether the price pays off.
The program-level numbers tell a harder story. Every top-earning bachelor's field here starts low. Accounting leads at $41,338, business communications and business administration cluster near $41,000, and sustainability studies and community advocacy fall below $39,000. These are entry-level figures, not the ten-year median, but none of them clear $42,000. If you want a degree that pays quickly out of the gate, Aquinas's strongest programs are business and accounting. Sustainability studies and community advocacy carry the same tuition and lower starting pay, so weigh that before committing.
The main risk here is the gap between what you borrow and what these fields start at. On a $41,000 starting salary in accounting, a $23,000 debt load is workable but not comfortable in your first years in Grand Rapids. The 73.6% retention rate also means roughly one in four freshmen doesn't return, and leaving with debt and no degree is the worst outcome.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families sharply. Under $75,000 in family income, you pay around $12,000 to $15,000 a year. Above $110,000, that jumps to $23,349, nearly double the bottom tier. If your family earns under $48,000, Aquinas is a reasonable bet on a business or accounting track. If you're paying the top tier for a lower-earning major like community advocacy, the math is weak, and you should compare a cheaper public option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aquinas College worth the money?
Aquinas College graduates earn a median of $49,584 ten years after graduation, which is below average for a four-year degree. With a net price of $18,902 per year and typical debt of $23,000, the return on investment is modest but manageable for most students.
What are the best paying majors at Aquinas College?
Business, Management, and Marketing majors at Aquinas College earn the highest salaries at $54,869 annually. Accounting graduates earn $41,338, while other business programs typically pay around $40,000-41,000 per year.
How much debt do Aquinas College students typically graduate with?
The median debt for Aquinas College graduates is $23,000, which is relatively manageable compared to national averages. However, only 62.5% of students graduate within six years, meaning many students may accumulate debt without completing their degree.
Does Aquinas College have good financial aid?
Aquinas College reduces costs to a net price of $18,902 per year through financial aid, making it more affordable than many private colleges. The relatively low debt levels suggest the school provides decent aid packages for most students.