Aquinas vs Dominican
Side by side: Mass and confession times, faith grades, academics, cost after aid and outcomes.
CFaith: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.Aquinas CollegeGrand Rapids, MICatholic collegeCFaith: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.Dominican UniversityRiver Forest, ILCatholic college
At a glance
- Both are Dominican colleges.
- Aquinas lists Mass every weekday; Dominican lists Mass 2 times a week.
- Aquinas has the higher graduation rate: 65% against 55% at Dominican.
- The average price after aid is lower at Dominican: $11,745 a year, against $16,626 at Aquinas.
Catholic life
Faith grade
CFaith: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
CFaith: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Compass Score
CCompass Score: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
CCompass Score: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Sacramental life
ASacramental life: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
FSacramental life: Minimal (grade F): 0 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Theology and core curriculum
DTheology and core curriculum: Limited (grade D): 40 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Campus culture and residence life
CCampus culture and residence life: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
CCampus culture and residence life: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Service and Catholic social teaching
BService and Catholic social teaching: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
BService and Catholic social teaching: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Mass times
Every weekday
2 times a week
Confession times
7 times a week
Campus ministry
2 listed
2 listed
Religious order or tradition
Dominican
Dominican
The college
Control
Private nonprofit
Private nonprofit
Location
Grand Rapids, MI
River Forest, IL
Setting
City
Suburb
Students
1,295
3,424
Academics
Academic Excellence grade
CAcademic Excellence: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
CAcademic Excellence: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
Admission rate
90%
90%
Average SAT
1025
1002
ACT middle 50%
20–26
16–26
Graduation rate
65%
55%
First-year retention
78%
78%
Cost and outcomes
Average net price a year
$16,626
$11,745
Net price, up to $30,000 income
$10,725
$9,759
Net price, $30,001–$48,000 income
$11,222
$9,014
Net price, $48,001–$75,000 income
$13,594
$11,891
Net price, $75,001–$110,000 income
$15,468
$16,851
Net price, over $110,000 income
$21,093
$17,963
Median debt
$23,000
$24,411
Median earnings 10 years after entry
$49,584
$60,327
The grades and the Compass Score are Catholic School Compass ratings from documented sources; each college’s page lists its sources. Cost, admission, graduation, earnings and debt are federal data. This page does not rank the two colleges.