Thomas Aquinas College vs. Luther- Norse

Comparable Facts

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

Luther College is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (1,384 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas Aquinas College is located in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting); Luther College is in Decorah, IA (Remote Town setting).
• Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas Aquinas College 11:1; Luther College 9:1.

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Luther- Norse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Thomas Aquinas College or Luther- Norse? 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 Luther College than Thomas Aquinas College ($24,511 vs. $24,820).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 2.9% lower than at Luther College ($11,200 vs. $11,530).
• Luther College is 72.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas Aquinas College (about $21,920 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.6% higher at Luther- Norse than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $21,920 more per year; $52,120.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Luther College than at Thomas Aquinas College (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Luther College students is 119.9% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($40,917 vs. $18,606).

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Luther- Norse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Thomas Aquinas College or Luther- Norse? 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 Luther- Norse and Thomas Aquinas College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Thomas Aquinas College (1310) is 70 points higher than at Luther- Norse (1240).
• Incoming Thomas Aquinas College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at Luther- Norse).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400; Luther College 1078/1406.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Aquinas College 28/33; Luther College 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Thomas Aquinas College - Required; Luther- Norse - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Thomas Aquinas College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Luther- Norse (3.65).
• Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than Luther- Norse (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College vs. 19.9% at Luther- Norse.

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Luther- Norse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Thomas Aquinas College and Luther- Norse? 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).

• The graduation rate at Thomas Aquinas College is the same as at Luther College (69% vs. 69%).
• Graduates from Luther College earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than Luther- Norse graduates ($17,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have an estimated $104 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Luther- Norse graduates ($175 vs. $279).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Luther- Norse students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 82%)

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.