UCSD vs. Thomas Aquinas College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California San Diego in La Jolla, 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 San Diego is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); Thomas Aquinas College is in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting).
• University of California San Diego 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 San Diego 19:1; Thomas Aquinas College 11:1.

UCSD vs. Thomas Aquinas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD 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 San Diego than Thomas Aquinas College ($14,047 vs. $24,820).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 41% lower than at University of California San Diego ($11,200 vs. $18,970).
• Thomas Aquinas College is 80.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSD (about $13,442 more per year; $30,200.00 vs. $16,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.7% higher at UCSD than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $20,758 more per year; $50,958.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Aquinas College than at University of California San Diego (73% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California San Diego students is 38.4% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($25,757 vs. $18,606).

UCSD vs. Thomas Aquinas College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD 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 UCSD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is 70 points higher than at Thomas Aquinas College (1310).
• Incoming UCSD 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: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; Thomas Aquinas College 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; Thomas Aquinas College - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Thomas Aquinas College (3.8).
• Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College.

UCSD vs. Thomas Aquinas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD 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 San Diego's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Thomas Aquinas College's (69%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $22,200 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than UCSD graduates ($17,000 vs. $18,500).
• Among borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSD graduates ($175 vs. $191).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSD 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.