Cal Poly vs. Thomas Aquinas College

Comparable Facts

Compare California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in San Luis Obispo, CA with Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo, CA (Small Suburban setting); Thomas Aquinas College is in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; Thomas Aquinas College 11:1.

Cal Poly vs. Thomas Aquinas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly 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 Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo than Thomas Aquinas College ($17,453 vs. $24,820).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 40.4% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($11,200 vs. $18,792).
• Thomas Aquinas College is 122.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $16,604 more per year; $30,200.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.8% higher at Cal Poly than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $4,465 more per year; $34,665.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Aquinas College than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (73% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students is 29.8% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($18,606 vs. $14,338).

Cal Poly vs. Thomas Aquinas College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal Poly 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 Cal Poly.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (1320) is 10 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 Cal Poly).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410; Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; Thomas Aquinas College 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; Thomas Aquinas College - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Thomas Aquinas College (3.8).
• Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College.

Cal Poly vs. Thomas Aquinas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly 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 Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than Thomas Aquinas College's (69%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $23,700 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have a $1,666 lower median loan debt than Cal Poly graduates ($17,000 vs. $18,666).
• Among borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal Poly graduates ($175 vs. $193).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal Poly students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 85%)

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.