Thomas Aquinas College vs. Westmont College

Comparable Facts

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

Westmont College is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (1,310 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas Aquinas College is located in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting); Westmont College is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas Aquinas College 11:1; Westmont College 10:1.

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Westmont College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Thomas Aquinas College or Westmont 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 Westmont College ($24,820 vs. $32,172).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 34% lower than at Westmont College ($11,200 vs. $16,960).
• Westmont College is 77.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas Aquinas College (about $23,384 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.4% higher at Westmont College than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $23,384 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at Thomas Aquinas College (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westmont College students is 109.4% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($38,956 vs. $18,606).

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Westmont College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Westmont College (1350) is 40 points higher than at Thomas Aquinas College (1310).
• Incoming Thomas Aquinas College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at Westmont College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400; Westmont College 1240/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Aquinas College 28/33; Westmont College 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Thomas Aquinas College - Required; Westmont College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Thomas Aquinas College students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Westmont College (3.59).
• Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than Westmont College (77%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College vs. 15.9% at Westmont College.

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Westmont College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Westmont College's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Thomas Aquinas College's (69%).
• Graduates from Westmont College earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have a $8,123 lower median loan debt than Westmont College graduates ($17,000 vs. $25,123).
• Among borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have an estimated $84 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westmont College graduates ($175 vs. $259).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Westmont College students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 86%)

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.