Thomas Aquinas College vs. CBU

Comparable Facts

Compare Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, CA with Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Christian Brothers University is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (1,772 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas Aquinas College is located in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting); Christian Brothers University is in Memphis, TN (Large City setting).
• Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Christian Brothers University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas Aquinas College 11:1; Christian Brothers University 9:1.

Thomas Aquinas College vs. CBU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Thomas Aquinas College or CBU? 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 Christian Brothers University than Thomas Aquinas College ($16,754 vs. $24,820).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christian Brothers University are 1.3% lower than at Thomas Aquinas College ($11,055 vs. $11,200).
• Christian Brothers University is 27.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas Aquinas College (about $8,220 more per year; $38,420.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.2% higher at CBU than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $8,220 more per year; $38,420.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Christian Brothers University than at Thomas Aquinas College (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Christian Brothers University students is 67.9% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($31,234 vs. $18,606).

Thomas Aquinas College vs. CBU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Thomas Aquinas College (1310) is 110 points higher than at CBU (1200).
• Incoming Thomas Aquinas College students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 21 at CBU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400; Christian Brothers University 1020/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Aquinas College 28/33; Christian Brothers University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Thomas Aquinas College - Required; CBU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Thomas Aquinas College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at CBU (3.67).
• CBU has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than Thomas Aquinas College (83.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College vs. 13.4% at CBU.

Thomas Aquinas College vs. CBU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Thomas Aquinas College and CBU? 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 Christian Brothers University's (52%).
• Graduates from Christian Brothers University earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than CBU graduates ($17,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have an estimated $104 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CBU graduates ($175 vs. $279).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CBU students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 53%)

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.