Thomas Aquinas College vs. Bard College

Comparable Facts

Compare Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, CA with Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bard College is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (2,911 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas Aquinas College is located in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting); Bard College is in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting).
• Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas Aquinas College 11:1; Bard College 9:1.

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Bard College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Thomas Aquinas College or Bard College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Thomas Aquinas College than Bard College ($24,820 vs. $29,320).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 40.6% lower than at Bard College ($11,200 vs. $18,852).
• Bard College is 120% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas Aquinas College (about $36,236 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 120% higher at Bard College than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $36,236 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bard College than at Thomas Aquinas College (74% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 196.9% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($55,235 vs. $18,606).

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Bard College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Thomas Aquinas College or Bard College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Bard College and Thomas Aquinas College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bard College (1360) is 50 points higher than at Thomas Aquinas College (1310).
• Incoming Thomas Aquinas College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at Bard College (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400; Bard College 1270/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Aquinas College 28/33; Bard College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Thomas Aquinas College - Required; Bard College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bard College Jan 1, 2027.
• Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than Bard College (52.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College vs. 12.8% at Bard College.

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Bard College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Thomas Aquinas College and Bard College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Bard College's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Thomas Aquinas College's (69%).
• Graduates from Thomas Aquinas College earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have a $9,194 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($17,000 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have an estimated $95 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($175 vs. $270).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 81%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.