UC Berkeley vs. Thomas Aquinas College

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Berkeley is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); Thomas Aquinas College is in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting).
• University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Berkeley 18:1; Thomas Aquinas College 11:1.

UC Berkeley vs. Thomas Aquinas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley or Thomas Aquinas 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 University of California Berkeley than Thomas Aquinas College ($16,538 vs. $24,820).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 52.8% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($11,200 vs. $23,750).
• Thomas Aquinas College is 84.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Berkeley (about $13,853 more per year; $30,200.00 vs. $16,347.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.4% higher at UC Berkeley than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $20,347 more per year; $50,547.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Aquinas College than at University of California Berkeley (73% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Berkeley students is 59.1% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($29,608 vs. $18,606).

UC Berkeley vs. Thomas Aquinas College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Berkeley (1420) is 110 points higher than at Thomas Aquinas College (1310).
• Incoming UC Berkeley students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Thomas Aquinas College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; Thomas Aquinas College 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; Thomas Aquinas College - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Thomas Aquinas College (3.8).
• Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College.

UC Berkeley vs. Thomas Aquinas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley and Thomas Aquinas 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).

• University of California Berkeley's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Thomas Aquinas College's (69%).
• Graduates from University of California Berkeley earn a median of about $29,000 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,700 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $2,800 lower median loan debt than Thomas Aquinas College graduates ($14,200 vs. $17,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Thomas Aquinas College graduates ($146 vs. $175).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Berkeley students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 79%)

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.