Academic Comparison between Thomas Aquinas and Cal Poly

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

  • Thomas Aquinas is a private (not-for-profit) and Cal Poly is a public 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

Thomas Aquinas Collegevs.California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Santa Paula, CaliforniaLocationSan Luis Obispo, California
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Bachelor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
$30,2002025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$12,161
Out-Of-State$33,230
66%% Receiving Financial Aid52%
$17,516Average Amount of Financial Aid$12,264
83.09 %Acceptance Rates31.32 %
67.70 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)24.61 %
1,310SAT Score-
30ACT Score-
84 %Graduation Rate86 %
8 %Transfer-out Rate1 %
92 %Retention Rate96 %
566Student Population23,069
50Number of Faculties931
11 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio19 to 1
-Special Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling serviceOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare