Oxy vs. Thomas Aquinas College

Comparable Facts

Compare Occidental College 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.

Occidental College is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (1,881 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Occidental College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Thomas Aquinas College is in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting).
• Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Occidental College 9:1; Thomas Aquinas College 11:1.

Oxy vs. Thomas Aquinas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy 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 Oxy ($24,820 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 41.8% lower than at Occidental College ($11,200 vs. $19,252).
• Occidental College is 119.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas Aquinas College (about $36,074 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 119.5% higher at Oxy than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $36,074 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at Thomas Aquinas College (75% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Occidental College students is 95.6% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($36,400 vs. $18,606).

Oxy vs. Thomas Aquinas College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oxy 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 Oxy.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Occidental College (1450) is 140 points higher than at Thomas Aquinas College (1310).
• Incoming Oxy students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Thomas Aquinas College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 1380/1520; Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Thomas Aquinas College 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Thomas Aquinas College - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Thomas Aquinas College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than Oxy (44.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College.

Oxy vs. Thomas Aquinas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy 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).

• Occidental College's six-year graduation rate (83%) is higher than Thomas Aquinas College's (69%).
• Graduates from Occidental College earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,600 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have a $6,652 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($17,000 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($175 vs. $244).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oxy students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 87%)

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.