San Diego State vs. Thomas Aquinas College

Comparable Facts

Compare San Diego State 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.

San Diego State University is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Diego State University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); Thomas Aquinas College is in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting).
• San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Diego State University 27:1; Thomas Aquinas College 11:1.

San Diego State vs. Thomas Aquinas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego State 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 San Diego State University than Thomas Aquinas College ($14,704 vs. $24,820).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 51.4% lower than at San Diego State University ($11,200 vs. $23,030).
• Thomas Aquinas College is 246% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $21,472 more per year; $30,200.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.6% higher at Thomas Aquinas College than at San Diego State University (about $8,872 more per year; $30,200.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Aquinas College than at San Diego State University (73% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students is 54.4% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($18,606 vs. $12,053).

San Diego State vs. Thomas Aquinas College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Diego State 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 San Diego State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Thomas Aquinas College (1310) is 110 points higher than at San Diego State (1200).
• Incoming Thomas Aquinas College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at San Diego State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 1090/1300; Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 22/29; Thomas Aquinas College 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Diego State - Test-free; Thomas Aquinas College - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Thomas Aquinas College (3.8).
• Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at San Diego State vs. 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College.

San Diego State vs. Thomas Aquinas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Diego State 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).

• Thomas Aquinas College's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than San Diego State University's (66%).
• Graduates from San Diego State University earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $1,651 lower median loan debt than Thomas Aquinas College graduates ($15,349 vs. $17,000).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Thomas Aquinas College graduates ($158 vs. $175).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 65%)

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.