Pepperdine vs. Thomas Aquinas College

Comparable Facts

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

Pepperdine University is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (8,976 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Thomas Aquinas College is in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting).
• Pepperdine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pepperdine University 12:1; Thomas Aquinas College 11:1.

Pepperdine vs. Thomas Aquinas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pepperdine 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 Pepperdine ($24,820 vs. $66,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 48.5% lower than at Pepperdine University ($11,200 vs. $21,750).
• Pepperdine University is 131.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas Aquinas College (about $39,718 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 131.5% higher at Pepperdine than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $39,718 more per year; $69,918.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pepperdine University than at Thomas Aquinas College (91% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pepperdine University students is 44.7% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($26,927 vs. $18,606).

Pepperdine vs. Thomas Aquinas College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pepperdine 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 Pepperdine.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pepperdine University (1370) is 60 points higher than at Thomas Aquinas College (1310).
• Incoming Pepperdine 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: Pepperdine University 1290/1450; Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pepperdine University 29/32; Thomas Aquinas College 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pepperdine - Test optional; Thomas Aquinas College - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pepperdine Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Thomas Aquinas College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Pepperdine (3.74).
• Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than Pepperdine (62.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Pepperdine vs. 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College.

Pepperdine vs. Thomas Aquinas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pepperdine 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).

• Pepperdine University's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Thomas Aquinas College's (69%).
• Graduates from Pepperdine University earn a median of about $26,000 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,700 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than Pepperdine graduates ($17,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pepperdine graduates ($175 vs. $268).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pepperdine students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 75%)

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.