Thomas Aquinas College vs John Paul the Great Catholic University

Thomas Aquinas College and John Paul the Great Catholic University, both rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition, offer distinct educational experiences. Thomas Aquinas College, a private liberal arts college in California, boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of only 38%. Its rigorous curriculum emphasizes the study of the Great Books and the pursuit of truth, wisdom, and virtue. John Paul the Great Catholic University, a private university in California, offers a broader range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including popular majors like nursing, business, and education. With an acceptance rate of 75%, it attracts a diverse student body, fostering a vibrant campus community. While Thomas Aquinas College prides itself on its 100% graduation rate, John Paul the Great Catholic University's rate stands at 65%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these institutions and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
John Paul the Great Catholic University logo

John Paul the Great Catholic University

Thomas Aquinas College logo

Thomas Aquinas College

Overview

Location Escondido, California Santa Paula, California
Campus setting Suburb: Large Rural: Distant
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system Quarter Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate Undergraduate
Students retention rate 71.0% 89.0%
Common app member No No
Religious affiliation Catholic Catholic

Admission

Acceptance rate 78.9% 83.1%
Application fees $50
SAT range 1068 - 1288 1180 - 1370
ACT range 19 - 24 25 - 30
Students submitting SAT score 26.0% 34.0%
Students submitting ACT score 14.0% 19.0%
Total number of applicants 279 261
Total number of admissions given out 220 217
Admitted students who chose to enroll 112 131
Yield rate 50.9% 60.4%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Not required Not required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $47,743 $48,062
Average net price $28,787 $22,631
Tuition $27,000 $26,000
Room & board $9,400
Available payment plans
  • Guaranteed tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

100.0%
Average amount $16,736
71.0%
Average amount $13,973
Students receiving federal student loan 86.0%
Average amount $5,232
69.0%
Average amount $3,590
Students taking out private loans 2.0%
Average amount $5,000
5.0%
Average amount $7,167

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 292
Men 50.3% Women 49.7%
497
Men 49.7% Women 50.3%
Graduate students N/A N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Low
Out-of-state students N/A N/A
International students 2.0% 5.4%
Campus local/setting Suburb: Large Rural: Distant
Dormitory capacity 229 659
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from N/A N/A

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Communication and Journalism
  • Business
  • Liberal Arts
  • Liberal Arts
Students to faculty ratio 20:1 11:1
Institutional accreditation Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 61.9% 85.9%
Dropout rate 38.1% 3.8%
Transferred out N/A 9.0%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $28,428
  • Year 2: $25,658
  • Year 3: $28,991
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $31,750
  • Year 2: $30,047
  • Year 3: $34,459