DUofC vs. Thomas Aquinas College

Comparable Facts

Compare Dominican University of California in San Rafael, CA with Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dominican University of California is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (1,900 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dominican University of California is located in San Rafael, CA (Small City setting); Thomas Aquinas College is in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting).
• Dominican University of California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dominican University of California 8:1; Thomas Aquinas College 11:1.

DUofC vs. Thomas Aquinas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DUofC 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 DUofC ($24,820 vs. $37,456).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 30.8% lower than at Dominican University of California ($11,200 vs. $16,191).
• Dominican University of California is 72.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas Aquinas College (about $21,961 more per year; $52,161.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.7% higher at DUofC than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $21,961 more per year; $52,161.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dominican University of California than at Thomas Aquinas College (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dominican University of California students is 83.9% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($34,224 vs. $18,606).

DUofC vs. Thomas Aquinas College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DUofC 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 DUofC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Thomas Aquinas College (1310) is 50 points higher than at DUofC (1260).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dominican University of California 1210/1300; Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsThomas Aquinas College 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DUofC - Test optional; Thomas Aquinas College - Required.
• Accepted freshman Thomas Aquinas College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at DUofC (3.66).
• DUofC has a higher acceptance rate (83.5%) than Thomas Aquinas College (83.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at DUofC vs. 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College.

DUofC vs. Thomas Aquinas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DUofC 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 Dominican University of California's (56%).
• Graduates from Dominican University of California earn a median of about $12,700 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than DUofC graduates ($17,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have an estimated $104 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DUofC graduates ($175 vs. $279).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DUofC students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 71%)

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.