Thomas Aquinas College vs. MSOE

Comparable Facts

Compare Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, CA with Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Milwaukee School of Engineering is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (2,953 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas Aquinas College is located in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting); Milwaukee School of Engineering is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee School of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas Aquinas College 11:1; Milwaukee School of Engineering 12:1.

Thomas Aquinas College vs. MSOE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Thomas Aquinas College or MSOE? 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 MSOE ($24,820 vs. $25,669).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 19.9% lower than at Milwaukee School of Engineering ($11,200 vs. $13,984).
• Milwaukee School of Engineering is 67.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas Aquinas College (about $20,280 more per year; $50,480.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.2% higher at MSOE than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $20,280 more per year; $50,480.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milwaukee School of Engineering than at Thomas Aquinas College (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee School of Engineering students is 98.8% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($36,997 vs. $18,606).

Thomas Aquinas College vs. MSOE Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Thomas Aquinas College (1310) is 30 points higher than at MSOE (1280).
• Incoming Thomas Aquinas College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at MSOE).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400; Milwaukee School of Engineering 1160/1405.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Aquinas College 28/33; Milwaukee School of Engineering 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Thomas Aquinas College - Required; MSOE - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: MSOE Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Thomas Aquinas College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at MSOE (3.65).
• Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than MSOE (58.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College vs. 17.2% at MSOE.

Thomas Aquinas College vs. MSOE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Thomas Aquinas College and MSOE? 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 Milwaukee School of Engineering's (57%).
• Graduates from Milwaukee School of Engineering earn a median of about $23,200 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,900 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 MSOE graduates ($17,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have an estimated $104 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSOE graduates ($175 vs. $279).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSOE students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 83%)

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.