Thomas Aquinas College vs. Sewanee

Comparable Facts

Compare Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, CA with The University of the South in Sewanee, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of the South is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (1,724 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas Aquinas College is located in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting); The University of the South is in Sewanee, TN (Distant Rural setting).
• Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of the South is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas Aquinas College 11:1; The University of the South 9:1.

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Sewanee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Thomas Aquinas College or Sewanee? 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 Sewanee ($24,820 vs. $34,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 30.1% lower than at The University of the South ($11,200 vs. $16,028).
• The University of the South is 85.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas Aquinas College (about $25,920 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 85.8% higher at Sewanee than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $25,920 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of the South than at Thomas Aquinas College (98% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of the South students is 99.8% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($37,171 vs. $18,606).

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Sewanee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of the South (1330) is 20 points higher than at Thomas Aquinas College (1310).
• Incoming Thomas Aquinas College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at Sewanee).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400; The University of the South 1260/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Aquinas College 28/33; The University of the South 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Thomas Aquinas College - Required; Sewanee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sewanee Feb 1, 2027.
• Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than Sewanee (56.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College vs. 17.9% at Sewanee.

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Sewanee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The University of the South's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Thomas Aquinas College's (69%).
• Graduates from The University of the South earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,800 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Sewanee graduates ($17,000 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sewanee graduates ($175 vs. $196).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sewanee 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.