Thomas Aquinas College vs. Colorado College

Comparable Facts

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

Colorado College is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (2,056 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas Aquinas College is located in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting); Colorado College is in Colorado Springs, CO (Large City setting).
• Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colorado College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas Aquinas College 11:1; Colorado College 9:1.

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Colorado College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Thomas Aquinas College or Colorado 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 Colorado College ($24,820 vs. $36,123).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 30.1% lower than at Colorado College ($11,200 vs. $16,020).
• Colorado College is 134.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas Aquinas College (about $40,534 more per year; $70,734.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 134.2% higher at Colorado College than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $40,534 more per year; $70,734.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Aquinas College than at Colorado College (73% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado College students is 173.2% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($50,834 vs. $18,606).

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Colorado College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Thomas Aquinas College or Colorado 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 Colorado College and Thomas Aquinas College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado College (1350) is 40 points higher than at Thomas Aquinas College (1310).
• Incoming Colorado College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Thomas Aquinas College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400; Colorado College 1230/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Aquinas College 28/33; Colorado College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Thomas Aquinas College - Required; Colorado College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Thomas Aquinas College (3.8).
• Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than Colorado College (18.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College vs. 30.3% at Colorado College.

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Colorado College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Thomas Aquinas College and Colorado 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).

• Colorado College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Thomas Aquinas College's (69%).
• Graduates from Colorado College earn a median of about $300 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Colorado College graduates ($17,000 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado College graduates ($175 vs. $211).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado College students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 88%)

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.