Thomas Aquinas College vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

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

Dickinson College is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (2,314 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas Aquinas College is located in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas Aquinas College 11:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Thomas Aquinas College or Dickinson 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 Dickinson College ($24,820 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 34.5% lower than at Dickinson College ($11,200 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 117.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas Aquinas College (about $35,450 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 117.4% higher at Dickinson College than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $35,450 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Thomas Aquinas College (96% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 139.1% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($44,479 vs. $18,606).

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 80 points higher than at Thomas Aquinas College (1310).
• Incoming Dickinson 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; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Aquinas College 28/33; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Thomas Aquinas College - Required; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Dickinson College's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than Thomas Aquinas College's (69%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $16,300 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Dickinson College graduates ($17,000 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dickinson College graduates ($175 vs. $217).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dickinson College students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 89%)

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.