Thomas Aquinas College vs University of Mary (UMary)
Thomas Aquinas College and University of Mary, both rooted in Catholic tradition, offer distinct educational experiences. Thomas Aquinas College, a private liberal arts college in California, boasts a rigorous curriculum centered on the Great Books and a low acceptance rate of 38%. Its student body is predominantly White (79%) and male (61%), with a small international student population (1%). In contrast, University of Mary, a private Catholic university in North Dakota, offers a wider range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including popular majors like nursing, business, and education. With an acceptance rate of 84%, University of Mary attracts a more diverse student body, with a higher percentage of female (58%) and minority students (28%). While Thomas Aquinas College prides itself on its 100% graduation rate, University of Mary's graduation rate stands at 63%. Explore the comparison table to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations.
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![]() Thomas Aquinas College |
![]() University of Mary |
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Overview |
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Location | Santa Paula, California | Bismarck, North Dakota |
Campus setting | Rural: Distant | Rural: Fringe |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 89.0% | 77.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | Catholic |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 83.1% | 78.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$45
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SAT range | 1180 - 1370 | N/A |
ACT range | 25 - 30 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 34.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 19.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 261 | 1,532 |
Total number of admissions given out | 217 | 1,207 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 131 | 510 |
Yield rate | 60.4% | 42.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $48,062 | $35,370 |
Average net price | $22,631 | $19,474 |
Tuition | $26,000 | $18,340 |
Room & board | $9,400 |
Room/dormitory:
$3,690
Meal plan:
$4,300
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
71.0%
Average amount $13,973 |
100.0%
Average amount $11,954 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
69.0%
Average amount $3,590 |
65.0%
Average amount $5,176 |
Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $7,167 |
20.0%
Average amount $10,222 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
497
Men 49.7% Women 50.3% |
2,579
Men 41.5% Women 58.5% |
Graduate students | N/A |
1,215
Men 30.4% Women 69.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 64.5% |
International students | 5.4% | 0.1% |
Campus local/setting | Rural: Distant | Rural: Fringe |
Dormitory capacity | 659 | 1,325 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | North Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin California Montana |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 85.9% | 64.3% |
Dropout rate | 3.8% | 31.5% |
Transferred out | 9.0% | 2.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
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