Chapman vs. Thomas Aquinas College

Comparable Facts

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

Chapman University is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (9,760 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chapman University is located in Orange, CA (Midsize City setting); Thomas Aquinas College is in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting).
• Chapman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chapman University 12:1; Thomas Aquinas College 11:1.

Chapman vs. Thomas Aquinas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Chapman 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 Chapman ($24,820 vs. $47,902).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 37.1% lower than at Chapman University ($11,200 vs. $17,814).
• Chapman University is 115.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas Aquinas College (about $34,784 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 115.2% higher at Chapman than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $34,784 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chapman University than at Thomas Aquinas College (88% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chapman University students is 90.4% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($35,434 vs. $18,606).

Chapman vs. Thomas Aquinas College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Chapman 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 Chapman.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Chapman University (1350) is 40 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 Chapman).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chapman University 1260/1440; Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chapman University 28/31; Thomas Aquinas College 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Chapman - Test optional; Thomas Aquinas College - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Chapman Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Thomas Aquinas College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Chapman (3.7).
• Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than Chapman (65.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at Chapman vs. 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College.

Chapman vs. Thomas Aquinas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Chapman 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).

• Chapman University's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Thomas Aquinas College's (69%).
• Graduates from Chapman University earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have a $3,938 lower median loan debt than Chapman graduates ($17,000 vs. $20,938).
• Among borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Chapman graduates ($175 vs. $216).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chapman students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 65%)

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.