Loyola Marymount vs. Thomas Aquinas College

Comparable Facts

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

Loyola Marymount University is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (10,179 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Loyola Marymount University is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Thomas Aquinas College is in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting).
• Loyola Marymount University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Loyola Marymount University 10:1; Thomas Aquinas College 11:1.

Loyola Marymount vs. Thomas Aquinas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Loyola Marymount 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 Loyola Marymount ($24,820 vs. $59,926).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 49.2% lower than at Loyola Marymount University ($11,200 vs. $22,026).
• Loyola Marymount University is 106.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas Aquinas College (about $32,157 more per year; $62,357.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 106.5% higher at Loyola Marymount than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $32,157 more per year; $62,357.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loyola Marymount University than at Thomas Aquinas College (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loyola Marymount University students is 30.7% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($24,318 vs. $18,606).

Loyola Marymount vs. Thomas Aquinas College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Loyola Marymount 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 Loyola Marymount.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Loyola Marymount University (1350) is 40 points higher than at Thomas Aquinas College (1310).
• Incoming Loyola Marymount students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at Thomas Aquinas College (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola Marymount University 1260/1430; Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola Marymount University 28/32; Thomas Aquinas College 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Loyola Marymount - Test optional; Thomas Aquinas College - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Loyola Marymount Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Loyola Marymount students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Thomas Aquinas College (3.8).
• Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than Loyola Marymount (45.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.8% at Loyola Marymount vs. 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College.

Loyola Marymount vs. Thomas Aquinas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Loyola Marymount 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).

• Loyola Marymount University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Thomas Aquinas College's (69%).
• Graduates from Loyola Marymount University earn a median of about $20,000 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,700 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have a $4,668 lower median loan debt than Loyola Marymount graduates ($17,000 vs. $21,668).
• Among borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loyola Marymount graduates ($175 vs. $224).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Loyola Marymount students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 79%)

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.