Claremont McKenna vs. Thomas Aquinas College

Comparable Facts

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

Claremont McKenna College is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (1,393 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Thomas Aquinas College is in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting).
• Claremont McKenna College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Claremont McKenna College 8:1; Thomas Aquinas College 11:1.

Claremont McKenna vs. Thomas Aquinas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Claremont McKenna 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 Claremont McKenna ($24,820 vs. $33,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 46.2% lower than at Claremont McKenna College ($11,200 vs. $20,830).
• Claremont McKenna College is 125.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas Aquinas College (about $37,780 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 125.1% higher at Claremont McKenna than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $37,780 more per year; $67,980.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Aquinas College than at Claremont McKenna College (73% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Claremont McKenna College students is 182.7% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($52,605 vs. $18,606).

Claremont McKenna vs. Thomas Aquinas College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Claremont McKenna 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 Claremont McKenna.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Claremont McKenna College (1520) is 210 points higher than at Thomas Aquinas College (1310).
• Incoming Claremont McKenna students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Thomas Aquinas College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 1470/1560; Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claremont McKenna College 33/35; Thomas Aquinas College 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Claremont McKenna - Test optional; Thomas Aquinas College - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Claremont McKenna Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Claremont McKenna students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Thomas Aquinas College (3.8).
• Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than Claremont McKenna (9.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Claremont McKenna vs. 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College.

Claremont McKenna vs. Thomas Aquinas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Claremont McKenna 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).

• Claremont McKenna College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Thomas Aquinas College's (69%).
• Graduates from Claremont McKenna College earn a median of about $52,100 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($97,800 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Claremont McKenna College graduates have a $2,033 lower median loan debt than Thomas Aquinas College graduates ($14,967 vs. $17,000).
• Among borrowers, Claremont McKenna graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Thomas Aquinas College graduates ($154 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.