Thomas Aquinas College vs. Bennington

Comparable Facts

Compare Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, CA with Bennington College in Bennington, VT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bennington College is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (927 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Bennington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Thomas Aquinas College or Bennington? 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 Bennington ($24,820 vs. $34,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 41.4% lower than at Bennington College ($11,200 vs. $19,108).
• Bennington College is 119.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas Aquinas College (about $36,062 more per year; $66,262.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 119.4% higher at Bennington than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $36,062 more per year; $66,262.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bennington College than at Thomas Aquinas College (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bennington College students is 185.2% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($53,064 vs. $18,606).

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Bennington Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Thomas Aquinas College or Bennington? 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 Bennington and Thomas Aquinas College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bennington College (1350) is 40 points higher than at Thomas Aquinas College (1310).
• Incoming Bennington students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Thomas Aquinas College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400; Bennington College 1291/1403.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Aquinas College 28/33; Bennington College 30/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Thomas Aquinas College - Required; Bennington - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bennington Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Thomas Aquinas College students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Bennington (3.51).
• Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than Bennington (44.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College vs. 11.5% at Bennington.

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Bennington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Thomas Aquinas College and Bennington? 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).

• Thomas Aquinas College's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Bennington College's (67%).
• Graduates from Thomas Aquinas College earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than Bennington graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $31,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than Bennington graduates ($17,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bennington graduates ($175 vs. $268).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bennington students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 77%)

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.