Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Grand Rapids, Michigan
71.1% Acceptance Rate
Aquinas College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
71.1%Acceptance Rate
3.52Avg GPA
1087Avg SAT
23Avg ACT
$49,018Annual Cost
$49,584Grad Salary
23%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
71.1%
Avg GPA
3.52
Avg SAT
1087
Avg ACT
23
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
990–1210
ACT Middle 50%
20–25
Need-Based Aid
23% receive Pell
Aquinas College is a private, Catholic liberal arts institution in Michigan known for its commitment to intellectual inquiry, community service, and character development. Offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, the college provides a supportive and engaged campus community that encourages both academic and personal growth. Its focus on providing a high-value, values-centered education makes it a meaningful choice for students seeking to prepare for leadership in a variety of professional fields.
Aquinas College Acceptance Rate
Aquinas College takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 71.1% each year.
What AQ Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 71.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.52 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.32 – 3.51
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.07
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Aquinas College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 15 for Aquinas College (Early Action — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 20.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 110 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 15
Decision by: December 20
Regular Decision
February 1
Decision by: March 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 15, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
AQ GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at AQ is 3.52. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.22 and 3.52? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.72–3.92.AQ GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map — where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.52 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.32 – 3.51
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.12 – 3.31
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.11
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No application fee for first-year admission; test-optional for both admission and scholarship consideration (Common App accepted; November 1 preferred deadline).
- Aquinas offers what it describes as the first Sustainable Business program in the United States, alongside strengths in nursing, business, and education.
- The Four Year Guarantee commits to on-time graduation (or a tuition waiver for an additional year if the college is at fault) and has been extended to include transfer students.
- Aquinas competes in the National Association of Collegiate Esports; the college is Dominican Catholic, founded in 1886, and was the first Catholic coeducational college in the U.S. administered by a religious congregation of women.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself — a 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average — the trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at AQ
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Aquinas College's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Aquinas College (AQ) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at AQ — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into AQ Without SAT or ACT?
AQ considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Aquinas College Average SAT Score: 1087
Admitted students at Aquinas College average a 1087 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1087 — Accessible
A 1087 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1210 SAT or 25 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Aquinas College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 990? A retake is worth it at AQ — two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 545 | 500 | 590 |
| SAT Reading | 555 | 490 | 620 |
| SAT Composite | 1087 | 990 | 1210 |
A score under 990 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1210+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into Aquinas College (AQ) with a 1200 SAT?
At 1200, your SAT is squarely in AQ's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file — GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Aquinas College (AQ) ACT Requirements
AQ's admitted students average an ACT of 23.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 23 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 23 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 22 | 18 | 25 |
| ACT English | 21 | 17 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 20 | 25 |
Can I get into Aquinas College with a 25 ACT?
At 25, you're in the top quarter of AQ's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections — English, Math, Reading, Science — are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, AQ weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily — the ACT opens the door, the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for AQ
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
AQ is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Apply without worrying about fees or test scores
Aquinas charges NO application fee and is fully test-optional for both admission and scholarship consideration. Focus energy on the transcript and any optional interview rather than stressing over standardized testing logistics.
Reference the Sustainable Business program specifically if that's your interest
Aquinas markets itself as home to the first Sustainable Business program in the United States. A student interested in this intersection of business and environmental studies should reference this distinctive, founding-program status directly in application materials rather than describing generic interest in "business."
Ask how the Four Year Guarantee applies to your transfer credits
The Four Year Guarantee commits to on-time graduation (or a tuition waiver for an additional year if the college is at fault) and has been extended to transfer students. A transfer student should ask specifically how this guarantee is calculated based on their incoming credit total.
Ask about esports opportunities if into competitive gaming
Aquinas competes in the National Association of Collegiate Esports - a concrete, real varsity-adjacent activity worth asking about for scholarship opportunities tied specifically to esports.
Expert Insight:
Because Aquinas has an unusually generous, low-friction application process (no fee, test-optional), a student may treat the application casually - but small liberal arts colleges like Aquinas often weigh optional materials (interviews, mid-year transcripts if requested) more heavily in holistic review than larger universities. Don't skip a requested interview or additional document just because it wasn't in the original checklist.
AQ Profile
Full Name
Aquinas College (AQ)
City
Grand Rapids
State
Michigan
ZIP Code
49506-1801
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a AQ Degree Worth It?
Whether AQ is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $64,800, and graduates see a 3.14% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from AQ Cost?
Listed tuition runs $49,018/year at AQ; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At AQ, 23% receive a Pell Grant and 42.8% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming AQ on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a AQ Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, AQ graduates report a median income of $49,584, about 22% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Aquinas College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Aquinas College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Aquinas College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
Degree Programs at AQ
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About AQ Admissions
Aquinas College graduates earn a lower median salary of $49,584/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Aquinas College is moderate, around $49,018/year; many students supplement with aid.
23.0% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average — Aquinas College skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Aquinas College's acceptance rate is 71.1%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Aquinas College students is 3.52, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.22 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Aquinas College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.12 or below makes admission tougher at Aquinas College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Aquinas College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1087, and within the 990–1210 range, keeps you competitive.
Aquinas College's deadline is November 15 (Early Action), with decisions out by December 20.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before November 15, 2026 — that's Aquinas College's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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