Skip to content

California Institute of Technology vs Thomas Aquinas College

California Institute of Technology is a private institute in Pasadena, CA, and Thomas Aquinas College is a private college in Santa Paula, CA. California Institute of Technology is the more selective of the two, admitting about 3% of applicants against 83% at Thomas Aquinas College. California Institute of Technology is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $16,075 a year against $26,196 at Thomas Aquinas College. About 94% of students graduate at California Institute of Technology, compared with 83% at Thomas Aquinas College. Ten years after enrolling, California Institute of Technology alumni earn a median of about $128,566, against $55,619 for Thomas Aquinas College.

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, CA · Private

Thomas Aquinas College

Santa Paula, CA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Pasadena, CA
Santa Paula, CA
Setting
Urban
Rural
Undergraduates
987
566
Acceptance rate
3%
83%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.55–4
3.47–3.97
SAT (middle 50%)
1530–1580
1220–1400
ACT (middle 50%)
35–36
28–33
Test policy
Required
Required
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$16,075
$26,196
Full cost / yr
$86,886
$43,426
In-state tuition
$65,898
$30,200
Out-of-state tuition
$65,898
$30,200
Application fee
$75
Not reported
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$0*
$19,761
$30k - $48k
$0*
$21,236
$48k - $75k
$431
$20,118
$75k - $110k
$18,753
$23,185
Over $110k
$54,157
$29,757
Outcomes
Graduation rate
94%
83%
Freshman retention
97%
92%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$132,140
$40,605
Median earnings (10 yr)
$128,566
$55,619
Median debt at graduation
Not reported
$18,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
18%
27%
First-generation students
Not reported
Not reported
International students
14%
7%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 4
Rolling

* Reported aid for this income range averaged above the billed cost.

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is California Institute of Technology or Thomas Aquinas College harder to get into?
California Institute of Technology is harder to get into. It admits about 3% of applicants, compared with 83% at Thomas Aquinas College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, California Institute of Technology or Thomas Aquinas College?
California Institute of Technology is cheaper on average. Students pay about $16,075 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $26,196 at Thomas Aquinas College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at California Institute of Technology and Thomas Aquinas College?
Before aid, Thomas Aquinas College costs about $43,426 a year and California Institute of Technology about $86,886. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, California Institute of Technology or Thomas Aquinas College?
California Institute of Technology. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $-2,133 there, against about $19,761 at Thomas Aquinas College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, California Institute of Technology or Thomas Aquinas College?
California Institute of Technology is the larger of the two, with about 987 undergraduates against 566 at Thomas Aquinas College.
Does California Institute of Technology or Thomas Aquinas College have a better graduation rate?
California Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, at about 94% against 83% at Thomas Aquinas College.
Do graduates of California Institute of Technology or Thomas Aquinas College earn more?
California Institute of Technology alumni earn more on average: a median of about $128,566 ten years after enrolling, against about $55,619 for Thomas Aquinas College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do California Institute of Technology and Thomas Aquinas College require SAT or ACT scores?
California Institute of Technology requires SAT or ACT scores. Thomas Aquinas College requires SAT or ACT scores.
What SAT scores do California Institute of Technology and Thomas Aquinas College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1530–1580 at California Institute of Technology and 1220–1400 at Thomas Aquinas College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school