PLNU vs. Thomas Aquinas College

Comparable Facts

Compare Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA with Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Point Loma Nazarene University is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (4,757 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Point Loma Nazarene University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); Thomas Aquinas College is in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting).
• Point Loma Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Point Loma Nazarene University 13:1; Thomas Aquinas College 11:1.

PLNU vs. Thomas Aquinas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLNU 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 PLNU ($24,820 vs. $39,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 17.9% lower than at Point Loma Nazarene University ($11,200 vs. $13,650).
• Point Loma Nazarene University is 53.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas Aquinas College (about $16,050 more per year; $46,250.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.1% higher at PLNU than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $16,050 more per year; $46,250.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than at Thomas Aquinas College (94% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students is 11.3% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($20,702 vs. $18,606).

PLNU vs. Thomas Aquinas College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PLNU 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 PLNU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Thomas Aquinas College (1310) is 40 points higher than at PLNU (1270).
• Incoming Thomas Aquinas College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at PLNU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Point Loma Nazarene University 1175/1365; Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Point Loma Nazarene University 25/32; Thomas Aquinas College 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PLNU - Test optional; Thomas Aquinas College - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: PLNU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Thomas Aquinas College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at PLNU (3.65).
• PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than Thomas Aquinas College (83.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at PLNU vs. 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College.

PLNU vs. Thomas Aquinas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PLNU 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).

• Point Loma Nazarene University's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Thomas Aquinas College's (69%).
• Graduates from Point Loma Nazarene University earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than PLNU graduates ($17,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLNU graduates ($175 vs. $258).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLNU 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.