USC vs. Thomas Aquinas College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Southern California is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (46,566 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Southern California is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Thomas Aquinas College is in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting).
• University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Southern California 9:1; Thomas Aquinas College 11:1.

USC vs. Thomas Aquinas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USC or Thomas Aquinas 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 USC ($24,820 vs. $43,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 43.8% lower than at University of Southern California ($11,200 vs. $19,931).
• University of Southern California is 138.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas Aquinas College (about $41,897 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 138.7% higher at USC than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $41,897 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Aquinas College than at University of Southern California (73% vs. 70%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern California students is 152.1% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($46,897 vs. $18,606).

USC vs. Thomas Aquinas College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Southern California (1500) is 190 points higher than at Thomas Aquinas College (1310).
• Incoming USC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 30 at Thomas Aquinas College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern California 1450/1550; Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern California 32/35; Thomas Aquinas College 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USC - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Thomas Aquinas College - Required to be considered for admission.
• Accepted freshman USC students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Thomas Aquinas College (3.8).
• Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than USC (9.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.3% at USC vs. 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College.

USC vs. Thomas Aquinas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USC and Thomas Aquinas 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).

• University of Southern California's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Thomas Aquinas College's (69%).
• Graduates from University of Southern California earn a median of about $39,800 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,500 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have a $5,375 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($17,000 vs. $22,375).
• Among borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($175 vs. $231).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 81%)

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.