USF vs. Thomas Aquinas College

Comparable Facts

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

University of San Francisco is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (8,913 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

USF vs. Thomas Aquinas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USF 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 Thomas Aquinas College than USF ($24,820 vs. $45,443).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 43.3% lower than at University of San Francisco ($11,200 vs. $19,764).
• University of San Francisco is 100.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas Aquinas College (about $30,292 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 100.3% higher at USF than at Thomas Aquinas College (about $30,292 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $30,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Francisco than at Thomas Aquinas College (95% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Francisco students is 86.6% larger than aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students ($34,723 vs. $18,606).

USF vs. Thomas Aquinas College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USF 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 USF.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Thomas Aquinas College (1310) is 20 points higher than at USF (1290).
• Incoming Thomas Aquinas College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at USF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of San Francisco 1190/1390; Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of San Francisco 25/30; Thomas Aquinas College 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USF - Test optional; Thomas Aquinas College - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: USF Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Thomas Aquinas College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at USF (3.57).
• Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than USF (61.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6% at USF vs. 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College.

USF vs. Thomas Aquinas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USF 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 San Francisco's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Thomas Aquinas College's (69%).
• Graduates from University of San Francisco earn a median of about $24,700 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,400 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than USF graduates ($17,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF graduates ($175 vs. $258).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF 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.