Thomas Aquinas College: 84.7% Acceptance Rate

84.7%Acceptance

$28,700Tuition

539Students

82%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$55,619Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearLiberal ArtsData: 2023-24Roman Catholic

About Thomas Aquinas College

Thomas Aquinas College operates on a radical premise: every one of its 539 students reads the same Great Books curriculum. The college ditches textbooks and lectures in favor of Socratic seminars where students wrestle directly with works by Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, and other intellectual giants. This rural California campus attracts students who want to engage with big ideas through close reading and discussion. The 84% acceptance rate reflects the self-selecting nature of applicants drawn to this unique Catholic liberal arts approach.

Students pay an average net price of $25,032 after aid, though only 20% receive financial assistance. Graduates earn a median of $55,619 ten years out with typical debt of just $18,000. The monthly loan payment of $191 makes this education surprisingly affordable given the outcomes. The 92% loan repayment rate suggests graduates manage their debt well.

The 10:1 student-faculty ratio creates an intimate academic environment where discussion thrives. With 92% of freshmen returning and 84% graduating in four years, students clearly connect with the demanding curriculum. The gender split runs nearly even at 50% women and 50% men. Two-thirds of students come from out of state, creating a geographically diverse community united by intellectual curiosity.

Academics & Faculty

Thomas Aquinas College operates on a unique Great Books curriculum where every student reads the same classic texts from Aristotle to Einstein. Students engage in Socratic seminars without textbooks or lectures, discussing primary sources directly with faculty. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio enables intensive discussion-based learning in small groups. This liberal arts approach produces strong critical thinkers, reflected in the 83% four-year graduation rate. The curriculum covers mathematics, natural science, philosophy, and theology through original texts rather than modern interpretations. Students graduate with a bachelor's degree in liberal arts, having wrestled with foundational questions through direct engagement with history's greatest minds.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 10:1
Full-Time Faculty: 98.6%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 83.5%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 82.0%
Retention Rate: 92.1%
Median Earnings (10 years): $55,619
Carnegie Classification: Liberal Arts College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Bachelor	$30,047

View all 1 programs →

Campus Life

Students at Thomas Aquinas College gather in small seminars to discuss Plato's Republic or Euclid's Elements without any textbooks or lectures. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio means every conversation feels intimate and Socratic. Campus sits in rural Santa Paula, about 70 miles northwest of Los Angeles, where year-round mild weather means students spend plenty of time outdoors discussing philosophy under California sun.

With only 539 students and housing capacity for 667, nearly everyone lives on campus in the tight-knit community. The 92% retention rate reflects students who embrace the challenging Great Books curriculum and Catholic identity. Weekends revolve around campus life since the nearest city requires a drive. Students attend daily Mass, participate in intramural sports, and continue their philosophical discussions late into the evening. The medieval-style stone buildings create an atmosphere that matches the classical education. Social life centers on formal dances, student plays, and outdoor activities in the surrounding hills. Most graduates earn around $55,619 ten years out, often pursuing graduate studies or careers in education and law.

Setting: Rural-Distant
Housing Capacity: 667 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1971

Campus Safety (2023)

1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Burglary	1	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 34°–66°F
July Avg: 54°–88°F
Annual Precipitation: 20.7"
Annual Snowfall: 0.1"

Student Demographics

Students come to this remote California campus from across the country, with two-thirds traveling from out of state to pursue the rigorous Great Books curriculum. The college draws serious Catholic intellectuals willing to commit to four years of Socratic seminars and classical texts. Nearly one in five students receives Pell Grants, showing the school attracts dedicated learners regardless of economic background. The 50-50 gender split reflects the curriculum's universal appeal to students seeking deep philosophical and theological education rather than career-focused training.

Men: 49.7%
Women: 50.3%
White: 62.2%
Black: 0.0%
Hispanic: 19.7%
Asian: 2.2%
In-State Students: 33.3%
Pell Grant Recipients: 19.8%

Location

Thomas Aquinas College sits in Santa Paula, California, about 70 miles northwest of Los Angeles. The 539 students live in a rural agricultural valley surrounded by citrus groves and mountain foothills. Santa Paula calls itself the "Citrus Capital of the World" and maintains its small-town character with a population of just 30,000. The Ventura County setting offers hiking trails in the Los Padres National Forest and beaches within 30 minutes. With 667 housing capacity on campus, nearly all students live on the isolated 131-acre campus. The rural-distant location means students focus intensely on their Great Books curriculum without urban distractions. Students considering colleges in California may also compare Thomas Aquinas College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Santa Paula, California 93060

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $55,619
Median Earnings (5 years): $49,062
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $30,300
Loan Repayment Rate: 92.4%
Monthly Loan Payment: $191/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $18,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Thomas Aquinas College?

Thomas Aquinas College accepts 84.73% of applicants with an average SAT score of 1315. The school looks for students committed to its unique Great Books curriculum where everyone reads the same classic texts without textbooks or lectures.

How much does Thomas Aquinas College cost after financial aid?

The average net price is $25,032 annually, with tuition at $28,700. Only 19.77% of students receive financial aid, reflecting the college's approach of keeping costs relatively manageable for a private liberal arts education.

What makes the academics unique at Thomas Aquinas College?

Students follow a fixed Great Books curriculum with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. All 539 students read the same classic works from Aristotle to Einstein and discuss them in small seminars led by tutors rather than traditional professors.

How successful are graduates from Thomas Aquinas College?

The college achieves an impressive 83.52% four-year graduation rate with median earnings of $55,619 ten years after graduation. Graduates often pursue advanced degrees in philosophy, theology, and law, building on their rigorous liberal arts foundation.

Where is Thomas Aquinas College located and what is campus life like?

The campus sits in rural Santa Paula, California with housing for 667 students. The remote setting creates an intentionally close-knit community where the 92.09% retention rate reflects students' commitment to the distinctive academic program.

Does Thomas Aquinas College have a religious affiliation?

The college maintains a Roman Catholic identity since its founding in 1971. Students engage with questions of faith and reason through the Great Books curriculum, though the intellectual approach attracts students from various backgrounds seeking rigorous classical education.