Academic Comparison between Cal Poly and Thomas Aquinas

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and Thomas Aquinas College are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Cal Poly is a four-year, public school located in San Luis Obispo, CA and Thomas Aquinas is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Santa Paula, CA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Cal Poly is a public and Thomas Aquinas is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Cal Poly has more expensive tuition & fees ($33,230) than Thomas Aquinas ($30,200).
  • It is harder to admit to Cal Poly than Thomas Aquinas.
  • Cal Poly has more students with 23,069 students while Thomas Aquinas has 566 students.
  • Thomas Aquinas has a lower number of students per faculty with 11 to 1 while Cal Poly's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • Cal Poly has more full-time faculties with 931 faculties while Thomas Aquinas has 50 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispovs.Thomas Aquinas College
San Luis Obispo, CaliforniaLocationSanta Paula, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedBachelor's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
In-State$12,161
Out-Of-State$33,230
2025 Tuition & Fees$30,200
52%% Receiving Financial Aid66%
$12,264Average Amount of Financial Aid$17,516
31.32 %Acceptance Rates83.09 %
24.61 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)67.70 %
-SAT Score1,310
-ACT Score30
86 %Graduation Rate84 %
1 %Transfer-out Rate8 %
96 %Retention Rate92 %
23,069Student Population566
931Number of Faculties50
19 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio11 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning Opportunities-
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service