Academic Comparison between UC Santa Cruz and Thomas Aquinas

University of California-Santa Cruz and Thomas Aquinas College are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. UC Santa Cruz is a four-year, public school located in Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz is a public and Thomas Aquinas is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • UC Santa Cruz has more expensive tuition & fees ($46,923) than Thomas Aquinas ($30,200).
  • It is harder to admit to UC Santa Cruz than Thomas Aquinas.
  • UC Santa Cruz has more students with 19,938 students while Thomas Aquinas has 566 students.
  • Thomas Aquinas has a lower number of students per faculty with 11 to 1 while UC Santa Cruz's ratio is 22 to 1.
  • UC Santa Cruz has more full-time faculties with 820 faculties while Thomas Aquinas has 50 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of California-Santa Cruzvs.Thomas Aquinas College
Santa Cruz, CaliforniaLocationSanta Paula, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedBachelor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
In-State$15,035
Out-Of-State$46,923
2025 Tuition & Fees$30,200
61%% Receiving Financial Aid66%
$21,866Average Amount of Financial Aid$17,516
65.79 %Acceptance Rates83.09 %
9.29 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)67.70 %
-SAT Score1,310
-ACT Score30
75 %Graduation Rate84 %
10 %Transfer-out Rate8 %
88 %Retention Rate92 %
19,938Student Population566
820Number of Faculties50
22 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio11 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning Opportunities-
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service