Accolades and Outcomes

Explore Our Accolades and Outcomes!

Aquinas College is regularly recognized on the national stage for its strong academic programs, athletics, sustainability achievements, service efforts, and the success of Aquinas students.

Student Success

College of Distinction Michigan College of Distinction Catholic College of Distinction Education College of Distinction Career Development College of Distinction Equity & Inclusion College of Distinction International College of Distinction Affordable College of Distinction

Successful Outcomes College of Distinction Vibrant Communities College of Distinction Great Teaching College of Distinction Engaged Students College of Distinction

Aquinas College earned twelve 2025-2026 Colleges of Distinction recognitions.

97% of 2024 Aquinas graduates are either employed or in graduate schools within six months of graduation
U.S. News and World Report recognized Aquinas College in the 2025 Best Colleges list as a Top Performers on Social Mobility and National Liberal Arts Colleges list. (6th year in a row!)
Aquinas College was named a 2025-26 Veteran-Friendly School by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.
100% of graduates in nursing (Aquinas/University of Detroit Mercy Nursing Program at Aquinas College) are employed within six months of graduation
100% pass rate for recent nursing graduates (Aquinas/Detroit Mercy nursing program) NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination)
Medical school acceptance rate is 20% higher than the national average.
92.4% of Aquinas education students pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification
90% acceptance rate for physician assistant, physical therapy and dental programs
Aquinas internship partners include Amway, Disney, Steelcase, Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Van Andel Research Institute, the Detroit Tigers, and many more
Accelerated Master and Early Assurance Agreements with state colleges in Michigan

Location

Niche Best Colleges Ranked by Niche as the #1 Best College Location in Michigan for 2025.

Aquinas campus with downtown Grand Rapids in background
Grand Rapids gets high marks for safety, families, affordability, and young professionals.

Athletics

NAIA 2017 Five-Star Champion of Character Institution
11-time winner of the WHAC (Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference) All-Sports Award
More than 250 NAIA All-Americans
More than 375 Academic All-Americans

Sustainability

Tree Campus

Aquinas College recieved the 2024 Tree Campus Higher Education designation from Arbor Day Foundation -- the sixth year in a row!

Campus Race to Zero

Aquinas College consistently places among the leaders in the annual Race to Zero Waste competition. In 2024, we placed 7th nationally and 1st in the State for the Diversion Category. Also, 2nd nationally in the smaller campus division of the "Food Organics" category.

Top performer in the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education 2021 Sustainable Campus Index
The Princeton Review's Guide to Green Colleges: 2021 Edition (11th year)
Sierra Club 2020 Cool Schools Ranking (9th year)
Silver rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education 2019
Bronze Bicycle Friendly University award in 2015, 2019, and 2022 from the League of American Bicyclists
West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum 2016 Sustainable Business of the Year
Professional Grounds Management Society Green Star Award

First school in the nation to offer an undergraduate program in sustainable business.

Aquinas signed the St. Francis Pledge for Sustainability with the Catholic Climate Covenant to continue caring for our planet in a way that aligns with our Catholic and Dominican views.

Service and Community

Multiple Michigan Campus Compact Awards, including the Faculty Service Learning award, the Commitment to Service award, and the Heart and Soul award.
President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll

Accolades & Outcomes at Aquinas College