Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Sparkill, New York
82.2% Acceptance Rate
St. Thomas Aquinas College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
82.2%Acceptance Rate
3Avg GPA
1095Avg SAT
$51,685Annual Cost
$62,909Grad Salary
18.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
82.2%
Avg GPA
3
Avg SAT
1095
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1055–1125
Need-Based Aid
18.4% receive Pell
St. Thomas Aquinas College is a private, Catholic liberal arts college in New York known for its commitment to academic excellence, community service, and professional preparation. With a supportive environment and a focus on critical inquiry, the college fosters intellectual and personal growth. Its emphasis on providing a high-value, well-rounded education makes it a meaningful choice for students seeking to prepare for leadership in their professional and community lives.
St. Thomas Aquinas College Acceptance Rate
Admission at St. Thomas Aquinas College is inclusive by design. 82.2% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
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. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 82.2% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.00 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.80 – 2.99
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.55
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
St. Thomas Aquinas College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
St. Thomas Aquinas College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
STAC reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (Priority: 2027/02/01) 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.
STAC GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at STAC is 3. That makes admissions here moderately selective. Most admitted students carry a blend of A's, B's, and the occasional C.
A stronger SAT or ACT score can comfortably offset a GPA on the lower end of this range.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.20–3.40.STAC GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context, such as leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.00 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.80 – 2.99
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.60 – 2.79
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.59
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- STAC's SAT/ACT requirement is explicitly waived for Spring/Fall 2026 applicants; this is stated as cycle-specific rather than a permanent test-optional policy.
- Rolling admissions deliver decisions within two weeks of a complete application.
- Specialty Housing accommodations are available specifically for grouping athletic teammates or honors program students together.
- Founded in 1952 by the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, STAC is located 15 miles north of New York City and offers more than 100 majors, minors, and specializations across four schools.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
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 STAC
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from St. Thomas Aquinas College's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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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.
St. Thomas Aquinas College (STAC) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at STAC. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into STAC Without SAT or ACT?
STAC considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
St. Thomas Aquinas College Average SAT Score: 1095
Admitted students at St. Thomas Aquinas College average a 1095 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1095 — Accessible
A 1095 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1125 SAT) to stand out. Below average? St. Thomas Aquinas College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1055? A retake is worth it at STAC. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1095 | 1055 | 1125 |
A score under 1055 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1125+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into St. Thomas Aquinas College (STAC) with a 1150 SAT?
At 1150, your SAT is squarely in STAC's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for STAC
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
STAC is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Confirm the SAT/ACT waiver applies to your specific entry term
STAC's SAT/ACT requirement is explicitly waived for Spring/Fall 2026 applicants specifically - language that suggests a cycle-specific policy rather than a permanent institutional stance. If you're applying for a later term, confirm directly with admissions whether the test-optional waiver still applies to your specific semester rather than assuming it's now a permanent policy.
Use the two-week decision turnaround to your advantage when comparing offers
STAC's rolling admissions process delivers decisions within two weeks of a complete application - a notably fast turnaround that can give you an early acceptance in hand while you're still waiting on other schools. If you're weighing STAC against schools with longer decision timelines, apply early specifically to bank a confirmed offer while other applications are still pending, which can ease financial planning and reduce uncertainty.
Apply for Specialty Housing if you want to live with your team or honors cohort
STAC offers Specialty Housing accommodations specifically for grouping teammates and honors program students together - a real, named residential option distinct from standard dorm assignment. If you're an athlete or honors program admit, request this option explicitly during your housing application rather than assuming standard room assignment will place you near teammates or cohort peers.
Leverage the NYC proximity for internships tied to your specific major
STAC sits 15 miles north of New York City, and its four schools (Arts & Social Sciences, Business, Education, and STEM) explicitly build hands-on learning and internships into the curriculum. Research which NYC-based internship partnerships exist for your specific intended major before enrolling, since proximity alone doesn't guarantee a placement - ask admissions or the relevant department directly about established internship pipelines.
Expert Insight:
A specific and easy-to-miss detail is that STAC's test-optional policy is stated as applying to a specific admission cycle (Spring/Fall 2026) rather than as an unconditional institutional policy - a student assuming this waiver is permanent and applying in a later cycle without checking current requirements could be caught off guard if the policy has since changed.
STAC Profile
Full Name
St. Thomas Aquinas College (STAC)
City
Sparkill
State
New York
ZIP Code
10976-1050
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a STAC Degree Worth It?
At $51,685/year against a $62,909 median graduate salary, STAC is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $86,800, and graduates see a 3.14% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from STAC Cost?
Listed tuition runs $51,685/year at STAC. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At STAC, 18.4% receive a Pell Grant and 27.2% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming STAC on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a STAC Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, STAC graduates report a median income of $62,909, about 55% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than St. Thomas Aquinas College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
| Florida College | Temple Terrace, FL | 1068 | 19 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as St. Thomas Aquinas College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than St. Thomas Aquinas College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
Degree Programs at STAC
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About STAC Admissions
St. Thomas Aquinas College graduates earn a moderate median salary of $62,909/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at St. Thomas Aquinas College runs high, at roughly $51,685+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
18.4% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. St. Thomas Aquinas College skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
St. Thomas Aquinas College's acceptance rate is 82.2%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted St. Thomas Aquinas College students is 3, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.7 puts you in the standard applicant pool at St. Thomas Aquinas College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.6 or below makes admission tougher at St. Thomas Aquinas College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
St. Thomas Aquinas College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1095, and within the 1055–1125 range, keeps you competitive.
St. Thomas Aquinas College follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before Priority: 2027/02/01. That's St. Thomas Aquinas College's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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