Caltech vs. Thomas Aquinas College

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA with Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Institute of Technology is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (2,430 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Thomas Aquinas College is in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting).
• California Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Technology 3:1; Thomas Aquinas College 11:1.

Caltech vs. Thomas Aquinas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech 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 California Institute of Technology than Thomas Aquinas College ($14,513 vs. $24,820).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 44.8% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($11,200 vs. $20,283).
• California Institute of Technology is 118.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas Aquinas College (about $35,698 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 118.2% higher at Caltech than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $35,698 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Aquinas College than at California Institute of Technology (73% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 289% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($72,373 vs. $18,606).

Caltech vs. Thomas Aquinas College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Caltech 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 Caltech.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 250 points higher than at Thomas Aquinas College (1310).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 30 at Thomas Aquinas College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; Thomas Aquinas College 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Thomas Aquinas College - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Thomas Aquinas College (3.8).
• Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College.

Caltech vs. Thomas Aquinas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech 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).

• California Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Thomas Aquinas College's (69%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $40,100 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $2,650 lower median loan debt than Thomas Aquinas College graduates ($14,350 vs. $17,000).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Thomas Aquinas College graduates ($148 vs. $175).

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.