Thomas Aquinas College vs. Lawrence

Comparable Facts

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

Lawrence University is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (1,417 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas Aquinas College is located in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting); Lawrence University is in Appleton, WI (Small City setting).
• Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lawrence University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas Aquinas College 11:1; Lawrence University 7:1.

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Lawrence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Thomas Aquinas College or Lawrence? 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 Lawrence ($24,820 vs. $27,161).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 7.9% lower than at Lawrence University ($11,200 vs. $12,165).
• Lawrence University is 88.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas Aquinas College (about $26,782 more per year; $56,982.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88.7% higher at Lawrence than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $26,782 more per year; $56,982.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lawrence University than at Thomas Aquinas College (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lawrence University students is 129.4% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($42,688 vs. $18,606).

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Lawrence Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Thomas Aquinas College (1310) is the same as at Lawrence (1310).
• Incoming Thomas Aquinas College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at Lawrence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400; Lawrence University 1200/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Aquinas College 28/33; Lawrence University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Thomas Aquinas College - Required; Lawrence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Thomas Aquinas College students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Lawrence (3.52).
• Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than Lawrence (63.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College vs. 16.8% at Lawrence.

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Lawrence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Lawrence University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Thomas Aquinas College's (69%).
• Graduates from Thomas Aquinas College earn a median of about $100 more per year than Lawrence graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have a $10,350 lower median loan debt than Lawrence graduates ($17,000 vs. $27,350).
• Among borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have an estimated $107 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lawrence graduates ($175 vs. $282).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lawrence students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 76%)

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.