San Jose State vs. Thomas Aquinas College

Comparable Facts

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

San Jose State University is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (37,661 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Jose State University is located in San Jose, CA (Large City setting); Thomas Aquinas College is in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting).
• San Jose 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 Jose State University 25:1; Thomas Aquinas College 11:1.

San Jose State vs. Thomas Aquinas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Jose 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 Jose State University than Thomas Aquinas College ($13,892 vs. $24,820).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 46.6% lower than at San Jose State University ($11,200 vs. $20,971).
• Thomas Aquinas College is 259.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Jose State (about $21,790 more per year; $30,200.00 vs. $8,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.7% higher at Thomas Aquinas College than at San Jose State University (about $9,190 more per year; $30,200.00 vs. $21,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Aquinas College than at San Jose State University (73% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students is 50.6% larger than aid received by San Jose State University students ($18,606 vs. $12,353).

San Jose State vs. Thomas Aquinas College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Thomas Aquinas College (1310) is 180 points higher than at San Jose State (1130).
• Incoming Thomas Aquinas College students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 22 at San Jose State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Jose State University 1010/1240; Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Jose State University 19/26; Thomas Aquinas College 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Jose State - Test-free; Thomas Aquinas College - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Thomas Aquinas College students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at San Jose State (3.35).
• San Jose State has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Thomas Aquinas College (83.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at San Jose State vs. 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College.

San Jose State vs. Thomas Aquinas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Jose 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 Jose State University's (46%).
• Graduates from San Jose State University earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,900 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Thomas Aquinas College graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,000).
• Among borrowers, San Jose State graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Thomas Aquinas College graduates ($155 vs. $175).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Jose State students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 73%)

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.