UCSB vs. Thomas Aquinas College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Barbara is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); Thomas Aquinas College is in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara 17:1; Thomas Aquinas College 11:1.

UCSB vs. Thomas Aquinas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB 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 Santa Barbara than Thomas Aquinas College ($17,658 vs. $24,820).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 44.8% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($11,200 vs. $20,279).
• Thomas Aquinas College is 84% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $13,786 more per year; $30,200.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.6% higher at UCSB than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $20,414 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Aquinas College than at University of California Santa Barbara (73% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 32.7% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($24,695 vs. $18,606).

UCSB vs. Thomas Aquinas College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSB 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 UCSB.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 40 points higher than at Thomas Aquinas College (1310).
• Incoming UCSB 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 Santa Barbara 1230/1460; Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; Thomas Aquinas College 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; Thomas Aquinas College - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSB 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 UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College.

UCSB vs. Thomas Aquinas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB 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 Santa Barbara's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Thomas Aquinas College's (69%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $13,300 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $549 lower median loan debt than Thomas Aquinas College graduates ($16,451 vs. $17,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Thomas Aquinas College graduates ($170 vs. $175).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 73%)

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.