Thomas Aquinas College vs. College of the Atlantic

Comparable Facts

Compare Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, CA with College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, ME on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Thomas Aquinas College is larger than College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (566 students vs. 358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas Aquinas College is located in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting); College of the Atlantic is in Bar Harbor, ME (Rural Fringe setting).
• Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of the Atlantic is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas Aquinas College 11:1; College of the Atlantic 9:1.

Thomas Aquinas College vs. College of the Atlantic Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Thomas Aquinas College or College of the Atlantic? 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 College of the Atlantic than Thomas Aquinas College ($21,829 vs. $24,820).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 7.1% lower than at Thomas Aquinas College ($10,404 vs. $11,200).
• College of the Atlantic is 58.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas Aquinas College (about $17,797 more per year; $47,997.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.9% higher at College of the Atlantic than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $17,797 more per year; $47,997.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Atlantic than at Thomas Aquinas College (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Atlantic students is 95.8% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($36,437 vs. $18,606).

Thomas Aquinas College vs. College of the Atlantic Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Thomas Aquinas College or College of the Atlantic? 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 College of the Atlantic and Thomas Aquinas College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of the Atlantic (1340) is 30 points higher than at Thomas Aquinas College (1310).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400; College of the Atlantic 1240/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Aquinas College 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Thomas Aquinas College - Required; College of the Atlantic - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Thomas Aquinas College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at College of the Atlantic (3.69).
• Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than College of the Atlantic (70.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College vs. 23.4% at College of the Atlantic.

Thomas Aquinas College vs. College of the Atlantic Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Thomas Aquinas College and College of the Atlantic? 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).

• College of the Atlantic's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Thomas Aquinas College's (69%).
• Graduates from Thomas Aquinas College earn a median of about $17,500 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $28,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than College of the Atlantic graduates ($17,000 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than College of the Atlantic graduates ($175 vs. $204).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of the Atlantic 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.