Thomas Aquinas College vs. Stanford

Comparable Facts

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

Stanford University is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (18,625 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas Aquinas College is located in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting); Stanford University is in Stanford, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stanford University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas Aquinas College 11:1; Stanford University 6:1.

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Stanford Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Thomas Aquinas College or Stanford? 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 Stanford ($24,820 vs. $25,078).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 47.5% lower than at Stanford University ($11,200 vs. $21,315).
• Stanford University is 118.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas Aquinas College (about $35,710 more per year; $65,910.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 118.2% higher at Stanford than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $35,710 more per year; $65,910.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Aquinas College than at Stanford University (73% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stanford University students is 237.3% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($62,755 vs. $18,606).

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Stanford Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stanford University (1550) is 240 points higher than at Thomas Aquinas College (1310).
• Incoming Stanford students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Thomas Aquinas College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400; Stanford University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Aquinas College 28/33; Stanford University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Thomas Aquinas College - Required; Stanford - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Stanford Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Stanford students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Thomas Aquinas College (3.8).
• Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than Stanford (3.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College vs. 81.9% at Stanford.

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Stanford Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Stanford University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Thomas Aquinas College's (69%).
• Graduates from Stanford University earn a median of about $77,200 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stanford University graduates have a $4,525 lower median loan debt than Thomas Aquinas College graduates ($12,475 vs. $17,000).
• Among borrowers, Stanford graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Thomas Aquinas College graduates ($128 vs. $175).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Stanford students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 88%)

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.