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San Jose State University vs Thomas Aquinas College

San Jose State University is a public university in San Jose, CA. Thomas Aquinas College is a private college in Santa Paula, CA. Thomas Aquinas College admits about 83% of applicants and San Jose State University about 85%, making Thomas Aquinas College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $13,760 a year at San Jose State University after aid, and about $26,196 at Thomas Aquinas College. About 83% of students graduate at Thomas Aquinas College, compared with 67% at San Jose State University. Ten years after enrolling, San Jose State University alumni earn a median of about $78,988, against $55,619 for Thomas Aquinas College.

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA · Public

Thomas Aquinas College

Santa Paula, CA · Private
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
San Jose, CA
Santa Paula, CA
Setting
Urban
Rural
Undergraduates
27,601
566
Acceptance rate
85%
83%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.38–3.88
3.47–3.97
SAT (middle 50%)
1010–1240
1220–1400
ACT (middle 50%)
19–26
28–33
Test policy
Test blind
Required
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$13,760
$26,196
Full cost / yr
$26,593
$43,426
In-state tuition
$8,410
$30,200
Out-of-state tuition
$21,010
$30,200
Application fee
$70
Not reported
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$9,730
$19,761
$30k - $48k
$10,114
$21,236
$48k - $75k
$12,099
$20,118
$75k - $110k
$15,102
$23,185
Over $110k
$22,862
$29,757
Outcomes
Graduation rate
67%
83%
Freshman retention
87%
92%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$62,448
$40,605
Median earnings (10 yr)
$78,988
$55,619
Median debt at graduation
$15,000
$18,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
35%
27%
First-generation students
49%
Not reported
International students
4%
7%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Nov 30
Rolling

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 San Jose State University or Thomas Aquinas College harder to get into?
Thomas Aquinas College is harder to get into. It admits about 83% of applicants, compared with 85% at San Jose State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, San Jose State University or Thomas Aquinas College?
San Jose State University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $13,760 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 San Jose State University and Thomas Aquinas College?
Before aid, San Jose State University costs about $26,593 a year and Thomas Aquinas College about $43,426. 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, San Jose State University or Thomas Aquinas College?
San Jose State University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $9,730 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, San Jose State University or Thomas Aquinas College?
San Jose State University is the larger of the two, with about 27,601 undergraduates against 566 at Thomas Aquinas College.
Does San Jose State University or Thomas Aquinas College have a better graduation rate?
Thomas Aquinas College has the higher graduation rate, at about 83% against 67% at San Jose State University.
Do graduates of San Jose State University or Thomas Aquinas College earn more?
San Jose State University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $78,988 ten years after enrolling, against about $55,619 for Thomas Aquinas College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do San Jose State University and Thomas Aquinas College require SAT or ACT scores?
San Jose State University is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Thomas Aquinas College requires SAT or ACT scores.
What SAT scores do San Jose State University and Thomas Aquinas College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1010–1240 at San Jose State University and 1220–1400 at Thomas Aquinas College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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