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Aquinas College vs Rochester Christian University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Grand Rapids MI · vs · Private nonprofit, Rochester Hills MI

The verdict

Aquinas College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $66,504 in 54.3 years versus 247.3 years at Rochester Christian University, on median earnings of $49,584 vs $48,707 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAquinas CollegeRochester Christian University
Net price / yr$16,626$21,456
Total net cost$66,504$85,824
Median earnings, 10 yrs$49,584$48,707
Median debt$23,000$24,475
Payback54.3 yrs247.3 yrs
20-year net return-$42,024-$78,884

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Aquinas College or Rochester Christian University?

Aquinas College, at $16,626 a year after aid versus $21,456 — a gap of $4,830 a year, or $19,320 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Aquinas College or Rochester Christian University graduates earn more?

Aquinas College graduates report a median $49,584 ten years after entry, $877 more than the $48,707 at Rochester Christian University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Aquinas College or Rochester Christian University?

Aquinas College: its completers carry a median $23,000 in federal loans versus $24,475 at Rochester Christian University, a difference of $1,475. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

65% of students finish at Aquinas College, against 44% at Rochester Christian University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Aquinas College vs Rochester Christian University: frequently asked questions

Is Aquinas College or Rochester Christian University a better value?
Aquinas College. It clears its $66,504 net cost in about 54.3 years versus 247.3 years at Rochester Christian University, on median earnings of $49,584 vs $48,707 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Aquinas College or Rochester Christian University?
Aquinas College: $16,626/yr net price after aid versus $21,456/yr at Rochester Christian University — a difference of $4,830 a year, or about $19,320 over four years.
Do Aquinas College or Rochester Christian University graduates earn more?
Aquinas College graduates earn a median $49,584 ten years after entry, versus $48,707 at Rochester Christian University — a $877 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.