Thomas Aquinas College vs. Whittier College

Comparable Facts

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

Whittier College is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (795 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas Aquinas College is located in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting); Whittier College is in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Whittier College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas Aquinas College 11:1; Whittier College 8:1.

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Whittier College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Thomas Aquinas College or Whittier 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 Whittier College ($24,820 vs. $28,101).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 34.4% lower than at Whittier College ($11,200 vs. $17,082).
• Whittier College is 70% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas Aquinas College (about $21,150 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70% higher at Whittier College than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $21,150 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whittier College than at Thomas Aquinas College (99% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whittier College students is 94.4% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($36,176 vs. $18,606).

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Whittier College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Thomas Aquinas College (1310) is 70 points higher than at Whittier College (1240).
• Incoming Thomas Aquinas College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at Whittier College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400; Whittier College 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas Aquinas College 28/33; Whittier College 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Thomas Aquinas College - Required; Whittier College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Thomas Aquinas College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Whittier College (3.61).
• Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than Whittier College (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College vs. 5.4% at Whittier College.

Thomas Aquinas College vs. Whittier College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Thomas Aquinas College's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Whittier College's (55%).
• Graduates from Whittier College earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have a $8,500 lower median loan debt than Whittier College graduates ($17,000 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whittier College graduates ($175 vs. $263).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Whittier College students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 69%)

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.