At $21,344/yr net price, St. Thomas Aquinas College graduates earn $62,909/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $28,909/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,344 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $85,376 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $62,909/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$28,909/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 62.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,198 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,977/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,169/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,644/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $27,309/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,598/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $72,796 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $62,012 | |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $57,860 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $50,270 | $24,615 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $46,087 | |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations. | Bachelor | $42,435 | |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $39,009 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $36,992 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $36,141 | |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $34,704 |
The Risk Factor
62.6% of students at St. Thomas Aquinas College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 37% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
St. Thomas Aquinas College gives you a middle-of-the-road financial return with one clear weak spot. The median earnings ten years out land above what the median debt would suggest you can handle, and that debt stays low enough that most graduates can pay it down without drama. The problem is the gap between the school's overall earnings number and what its named programs actually report.
Look closely at the programs and none of the listed bachelor's tracks hit the school-wide median of $62,909. Teacher education pays best of the bunch, but it also carries the heaviest debt load of any program here, which is a bad pairing given teacher salaries in the New York suburbs stay flat for years. Finance is your safer bet in the region's job market, sitting close behind teaching with no heavy debt attached. Business administration is the weakest earner listed, and communication and media studies is not far ahead. If you enroll for either, expect to earn under $40,000 a decade later.
The retention rate is the risk to watch. One in four freshmen does not come back for year two, and a 62.6% graduation rate means a real chance you pay for time here and leave without the degree that justifies the price.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay roughly half what families above $75,000 pay, and the middle brackets scale up steadily. Oddly, the $75,000-$110,000 band pays more than the top bracket.
This school fits you if you want finance or education, qualify for the lower-income net price, and finish on time. Look elsewhere if you are aiming at business administration or communications and paying the upper-income price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St. Thomas Aquinas College worth the debt?
With median debt of $23,198 and 10-year earnings of $62,909, graduates typically earn about 2.7 times their debt load. This ratio is reasonable, though earnings vary significantly by major.
What are the best paying majors at St. Thomas Aquinas College?
Business Administration graduates earn the highest at $72,796 annually, while education majors earn between $50,270-$62,012. Finance majors surprisingly earn less at $46,087, below the school average.
Does St. Thomas Aquinas College have good financial aid?
The net price of $21,344 per year is relatively affordable for a private college. However, with a 62.6% graduation rate, nearly 4 in 10 students don't finish their degree.
Is St. Thomas Aquinas College ROI better than other schools?
The 10-year earnings of $62,909 are below the national average for college graduates. The school works best for students interested in business or education who want smaller class sizes at a lower private school cost.