Thomas Aquinas College vs. Lake Forest College

Comparable Facts

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

Lake Forest College is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (1,837 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas Aquinas College is located in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting); Lake Forest College is in Lake Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lake Forest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas Aquinas College 11:1; Lake Forest College 13:1.

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Lake Forest College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Thomas Aquinas College or Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest College ($24,820 vs. $31,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 11.8% lower than at Lake Forest College ($11,200 vs. $12,700).
• Lake Forest College is 86.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas Aquinas College (about $26,202 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 86.8% higher at Lake Forest College than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $26,202 more per year; $56,402.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Forest College than at Thomas Aquinas College (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Forest College students is 113% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($39,630 vs. $18,606).

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Lake Forest College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Thomas Aquinas College or Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest College and Thomas Aquinas College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Thomas Aquinas College (1310) is 20 points higher than at Lake Forest College (1290).
• Incoming Thomas Aquinas College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at Lake Forest College (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400; Lake Forest College 1190/1393.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Aquinas College 28/33; Lake Forest College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Thomas Aquinas College - Required; Lake Forest College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lake Forest College Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Thomas Aquinas College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Lake Forest College (3.62).
• Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than Lake Forest College (56.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College vs. 13.6% at Lake Forest College.

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Lake Forest College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Thomas Aquinas College and Lake Forest 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).

• Thomas Aquinas College's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Lake Forest College's (68%).
• Graduates from Lake Forest College earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,800 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 Lake Forest College graduates ($17,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have an estimated $104 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lake Forest College graduates ($175 vs. $279).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lake Forest College students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 78%)

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.