California Lutheran University vs. Thomas Aquinas College

Comparable Facts

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

California Lutheran University is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (3,351 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Lutheran University is located in Thousand Oaks, CA (Midsize City setting); Thomas Aquinas College is in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting).
• California Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Lutheran University 13:1; Thomas Aquinas College 11:1.

California Lutheran University vs. Thomas Aquinas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University 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 California Lutheran University ($24,820 vs. $32,774).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 33.4% lower than at California Lutheran University ($11,200 vs. $16,810).
• California Lutheran University is 74% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas Aquinas College (about $22,360 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74% higher at California Lutheran University than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $22,360 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Lutheran University than at Thomas Aquinas College (99% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 92.7% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($35,855 vs. $18,606).

California Lutheran University vs. Thomas Aquinas College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California Lutheran University 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 California Lutheran University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Thomas Aquinas College (1310) is 70 points higher than at California Lutheran University (1240).
• Incoming Thomas Aquinas College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at California Lutheran University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 1150/1330; Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 24/31; Thomas Aquinas College 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Lutheran University - Test optional; Thomas Aquinas College - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: California Lutheran University Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Thomas Aquinas College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at California Lutheran University (3.73).
• Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than California Lutheran University (75.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at California Lutheran University vs. 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College.

California Lutheran University vs. Thomas Aquinas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Lutheran University 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).

• Thomas Aquinas College's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than California Lutheran University's (64%).
• Graduates from California Lutheran University earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,900 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than California Lutheran University graduates ($17,000 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California Lutheran University graduates ($175 vs. $237).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Lutheran University students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 70%)

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.