Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Santa Paula, California
78.7% Acceptance Rate
Thomas Aquinas College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
78.7%Acceptance Rate
3.8Avg GPA
1277Avg SAT
29Avg ACT
$40,000Annual Cost
$55,619Grad Salary
19.8%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
78.7%
Avg GPA
3.8
Avg SAT
1277
Avg ACT
29
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1160–1330
ACT Middle 50%
25–33
Need-Based Aid
19.8% receive Pell
Thomas Aquinas College is a private, Catholic liberal arts institution known for its unique "Great Books" curriculum, which emphasizes the study of classical texts and the synthesis of faith and reason. With a small, intentional community and a focus on rigorous intellectual inquiry, the college provides a distinctive and highly formative educational experience. Its focus on critical thinking and classical learning makes it a premier choice for students seeking a truly rigorous and transformative liberal arts education.
Thomas Aquinas College Acceptance Rate
Thomas Aquinas College runs an open-access admission policy — with a 78.7% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 78.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.80 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.60 – 3.79
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.35
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Thomas Aquinas College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Thomas Aquinas College is November 15 for Early Decision applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 108 days left — Early Decision
Early Decision
November 15
Decision by: December 15
Regular Decision
February 1
Decision by: March 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 15, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Thomas Aquinas College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Thomas Aquinas College is 3.8. That makes admissions here extremely selective. Most admitted students carry straight A's, with very little room for a B.
If your GPA sits between 3.50 and 3.8, a high SAT or ACT score is the most reliable way to compensate.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 4.00–4.20.Thomas Aquinas College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective; GPA is within the typical admitted range.
Recommended Strategy: Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) in the top 5th percentile.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.80 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.60 – 3.79
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.40 – 3.59
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.39
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- All students take an identical four-year Great Books curriculum via the Discussion Method - no majors, minors, textbooks, or lectures; classes are capped at fewer than 20 students.
- Admission requires a post-application interview with the Admissions Committee; the College uses rolling admissions, with offer timing partly dependent on how quickly recommenders and transcripts arrive.
- No transfer credit is accepted from any other institution, since the curriculum builds sequentially across all four years.
- The New England (Northfield, MA) campus may, under Massachusetts law, admit only Catholic students; the California (Santa Paula) campus carries no such restriction.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Thomas Aquinas College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Thomas Aquinas College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Thomas Aquinas College Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Thomas Aquinas College is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Thomas Aquinas College Without SAT or ACT?
Thomas Aquinas College requires SAT or ACT scores — applications without them won't be reviewed. Plan test dates early, and if your first score lands below the average shown below, sit for it again.
Thomas Aquinas College Average SAT Score: 1277
The average SAT score of admitted students at Thomas Aquinas College is 1277 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1277 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1330 SAT or 33 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Thomas Aquinas College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1160, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Thomas Aquinas College. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 605 | 570 | 640 |
| SAT Reading | 640 | 590 | 690 |
| SAT Composite | 1277 | 1160 | 1330 |
Below 1160, you're behind most admitted students; at 1330 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1300
Can I get into Thomas Aquinas College with a 1350 SAT?
A 1350 SAT puts you ahead of most of Thomas Aquinas College's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Thomas Aquinas College ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Thomas Aquinas College is 29.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 29 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean without being elite-tier.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 29 | 26 | 31 |
| ACT English | 29 | 25 | 33 |
| ACT Composite | 29 | 25 | 33 |
Can I get into Thomas Aquinas College with a 33 ACT?
A 33 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Thomas Aquinas College's admitted students — a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections — English, Math, Reading, and Science — each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section (Science, especially, at STEM-focused schools) stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Thomas Aquinas College.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Thomas Aquinas College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Thomas Aquinas College takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Treat the required interview as a live seminar, not a script
There are no majors at TAC - every student takes the identical four-year Great Books curriculum taught entirely through discussion. The post-application interview with the Admissions Committee functions less like a standard "why us" conversation and more like an entrance seminar: come ready to genuinely grapple with a philosophical or theological question you've actually wrestled with, since the committee is assessing your capacity for sustained discussion-based learning, not polish.
Know the College's unofficial score thresholds and address them directly if you're near the line
Math scores at or below roughly 540 SAT / 22 ACT / 20 CLT, and verbal scores at or below roughly 570 SAT ERW / 23 ACT English / 50 CLT, raise internal concerns about readiness for TAC's demanding math, science, and seminar sequence. If your scores sit near these thresholds, use your interview and your two required academic recommendation letters to actively demonstrate reading stamina and quantitative reasoning rather than letting the scores speak alone.
Don't count on outside credit shortening your time here
Because the curriculum is fully integrated and builds sequentially across all four years, credits from other colleges - including AP, dual-enrollment, or previous college coursework - are non-transferable. Plan your timeline and finances around a complete four years at TAC regardless of what you've already earned elsewhere, rather than assuming any of it will count.
Pick the correct campus if you're not Catholic
Under Massachusetts religious-liberty law, the New England campus (Northfield, MA) may admit only Catholic students. If you're drawn to TAC's model but aren't Catholic, apply to the California campus (Santa Paula) instead - the two campuses share one program but are not interchangeable on this specific admissions point.
Expert Insight:
Families sometimes assume AP credit or dual-enrollment coursework will shorten a student's time at TAC, given how common credit-stacking is at other colleges. It won't - the College accepts no transfer credit because its four-year sequence builds cumulatively text by text, and this often isn't discovered until after enrollment when a family expected an early graduation.
Thomas Aquinas College Profile
Full Name
Thomas Aquinas College
City
Santa Paula
State
California
ZIP Code
93060
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission (WASCSR)
Is a Thomas Aquinas College Degree Worth It?
Thomas Aquinas College offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes — the figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $67,700, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.42%.
How much does a degree from Thomas Aquinas College Cost?
The sticker price is $40,000/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
19.8% of students receive a Pell Grant and 65.7% take federal loans at Thomas Aquinas College — file your FAFSA early and list Thomas Aquinas College as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Thomas Aquinas College Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $55,619 — about 37% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Thomas Aquinas College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Florida Southern College | Lakeland, FL | 1263 | 28 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 1235 | 27 |
| Covenant College | Lookout Mountain, GA | 1254 | 27 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Thomas Aquinas College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 1277 | 27 |
| Mercer University | Macon, GA | 1280 | 28 |
| Loyola University Chicago | Chicago, IL | 1283 | 29 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Thomas Aquinas College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
Degree Programs at Thomas Aquinas College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Thomas Aquinas College Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Thomas Aquinas College run about $55,619 a year.
Thomas Aquinas College costs roughly $40,000 a year — most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
Thomas Aquinas College's Pell Grant rate of 19.8% sits below the national average — merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 78.7%, Thomas Aquinas College's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Thomas Aquinas College average a 3.8 GPA.
Thomas Aquinas College doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.5 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.4, Thomas Aquinas College becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Thomas Aquinas College — aim above 1277, ideally within the 1160–1330 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Thomas Aquinas College is November 15 for Early Decision applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 15.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is November 15, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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