Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) vs Aquinas College
When it comes to higher education in Grand Rapids, Michigan, two prominent institutions stand out: Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) and Aquinas College. While both offer excellent educational opportunities, they differ in several key aspects. GRCC, a public community college, boasts an open admissions policy, making it accessible to a wide range of students. Aquinas College, on the other hand, is a private, Catholic liberal arts college with a more selective admissions process. GRCC offers a diverse range of associate degrees and certificates, while Aquinas College focuses on bachelor's degrees in various fields. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into the specifics of acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, graduation rates, and more, helping you make an informed decision about which institution aligns best with your academic goals and preferences.
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![]() Aquinas College |
![]() Grand Rapids Community College |
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Overview |
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Location | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 2 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 85.0% | 57.0% |
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Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 89.0% | Open Admission |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | 1000 - 1170 | N/A |
ACT range | 20 - 25 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 45.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 7.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 1,432 | |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,275 | |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 218 | |
Yield rate | 17.1% | |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | Not required |
High school GPA | Required | N/A |
Recommendation letters | Required | N/A |
High school transcript | Not required | N/A |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | N/A |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $46,096 |
In state:
$21,121
Out of state:
$24,841
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Average net price | $19,447 | $9,168 |
Tuition | $35,384 |
In state:
$7,410
Out of state:
$11,130
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,764
Meal plan:
$5,500
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $27,496 |
54.0%
Average amount $5,801 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
55.0%
Average amount $5,303 |
16.0%
Average amount $3,541 |
Students taking out private loans |
9.0%
Average amount $14,628 |
1.0%
Average amount $8,106 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,238
Men 43.1% Women 56.9% |
12,642
Men 42.3% Women 57.7% |
Graduate students |
124
Men 29.8% Women 70.2% |
N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 11.8% | N/A |
International students | 4.3% | N/A |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 922 | N/A |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | N/A |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Michigan Illinois Indiana Ohio Texas | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 10:1 | 18:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 60.3% | 19.7% |
Dropout rate | 8.4% | 36.2% |
Transferred out | 31.2% | 19.4% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Corporate Communications (Bachelor's Degrees)
Sustainability Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Criminal Justice and Corrections (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate's Degrees)
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Associate's Degrees)
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate's Degrees)
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees)
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