HMC vs. Thomas Aquinas College

Comparable Facts

Compare Harvey Mudd 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.

Harvey Mudd College is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (951 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

HMC vs. Thomas Aquinas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HMC 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 HMC ($24,820 vs. $43,966).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 49.8% lower than at Harvey Mudd College ($11,200 vs. $22,318).
• Harvey Mudd College is 127.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas Aquinas College (about $38,413 more per year; $68,613.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 127.2% higher at HMC than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $38,413 more per year; $68,613.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Aquinas College than at Harvey Mudd College (73% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Harvey Mudd College students is 148.3% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($46,199 vs. $18,606).

HMC vs. Thomas Aquinas College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HMC 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 HMC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Harvey Mudd College (1540) is 230 points higher than at Thomas Aquinas College (1310).
• Incoming HMC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 30 at Thomas Aquinas College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harvey Mudd College 1500/1570; Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Harvey Mudd College 34/36; Thomas Aquinas College 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HMC - Test optional; Thomas Aquinas College - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: HMC Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman HMC students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Thomas Aquinas College (3.8).
• Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than HMC (12.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.8% at HMC vs. 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College.

HMC vs. Thomas Aquinas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HMC 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).

• Harvey Mudd College's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than Thomas Aquinas College's (69%).
• Graduates from Harvey Mudd College earn a median of about $39,200 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($84,900 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have a $8,540 lower median loan debt than HMC graduates ($17,000 vs. $25,540).
• Among borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have an estimated $89 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HMC graduates ($175 vs. $264).

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.