Academic Comparison between UC Merced and Thomas Aquinas

University of California-Merced and Thomas Aquinas College are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. UC Merced is a four-year, public school located in Merced, 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.

  • UC Merced is a public and Thomas Aquinas is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • UC Merced has more expensive tuition & fees ($46,541) than Thomas Aquinas ($30,200).
  • It is harder to admit to Thomas Aquinas than UC Merced.
  • UC Merced has more students with 9,110 students while Thomas Aquinas has 566 students.
  • Thomas Aquinas has a lower number of students per faculty with 11 to 1 while UC Merced's ratio is 20 to 1.
  • UC Merced has more full-time faculties with 428 faculties while Thomas Aquinas has 50 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of California-Mercedvs.Thomas Aquinas College
Merced, CaliforniaLocationSanta Paula, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedBachelor's degree
Research University (high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
In-State$14,653
Out-Of-State$46,541
2025 Tuition & Fees$30,200
85%% Receiving Financial Aid66%
$24,780Average Amount of Financial Aid$17,516
90.53 %Acceptance Rates83.09 %
7.24 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)67.70 %
-SAT Score1,310
-ACT Score30
69 %Graduation Rate84 %
11 %Transfer-out Rate8 %
82 %Retention Rate92 %
9,110Student Population566
428Number of Faculties50
20 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio11 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study AbroadSpecial Learning Opportunities-
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service