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Thomas Aquinas College: TAC Interior 2
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Catholic college

Thomas Aquinas College

  • LocationSanta Paula, CA
  • Type and sizePrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 539 students

Thomas Aquinas College is a Catholic great-books college with campuses in Santa Paula, California, and Northfield, Massachusetts; this record describes the California campus. All students follow one integrated curriculum with no majors or electives, including eight semesters each of theology and philosophy. Mass is offered four times daily on the California campus with confession before and after each Mass, three resident chaplains serve the campus, and the single-sex residence halls are off limits to the opposite sex.

Faith scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

ASacramental life: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Sacramental life

100 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Weekday Mass on campus during the academic yearEvery weekday (5 or more weekdays) (Mass four times daily on the California campus.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Living | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/student-life/campus-living · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “Mass is offered four times daily in California and twice in New England. Confession is available before and after each Mass.”
      Mass is offered four times daily on the California campus, with confession before and after each Mass.
    2. A Catholic Life | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-catholic-life · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “The College’s chaplains offer Mass twice each day in New England and four times in California, hearing confessions before and after each Mass.”
      College chaplains offer Mass four times a day in California and hear confessions before and after each Mass.
  • Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Sunday Mass on campus (including Saturday vigil)Two or more weekend Masses (Based on the statement that Mass is offered four times daily in California. Sunday times were not individually confirmed.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Living | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/student-life/campus-living · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “Mass is offered four times daily in California and twice in New England. Confession is available before and after each Mass.”
      Mass is offered four times daily on the California campus, with confession before and after each Mass.
  • Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Scheduled confession on campusThree or more scheduled times per week (Confession is available before and after each Mass.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Living | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/student-life/campus-living · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “Mass is offered four times daily in California and twice in New England. Confession is available before and after each Mass.”
      Mass is offered four times daily on the California campus, with confession before and after each Mass.
    2. A Catholic Life | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-catholic-life · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “The College’s chaplains offer Mass twice each day in New England and four times in California, hearing confessions before and after each Mass.”
      College chaplains offer Mass four times a day in California and hear confessions before and after each Mass.
  • Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Eucharistic adorationNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priests serving studentsAt least one full-time priest chaplain (or a resident community of priests serving campus ministry)
    Sources (1)
    1. Chaplains | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-catholic-life/chaplains · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “The students of Thomas Aquinas College are blessed by the ministry of five full-time chaplains who reside on the two campuses.”
      Five full-time chaplains live on the college's two campuses.
      “California Rev. Robert Marczewski Head Chaplain and Assistant to the Dean for Religious Affairs Rev. Brendan Kelly Rev. Francisco Nahoe, OFMConv”
      Three priest chaplains are listed for the California campus.
  • Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Chapel open for prayer on campusYes
    Sources (2)
    1. Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-catholic-life/ca-chapel · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “At the head of the academic quadrangle on Thomas Aquinas College’s California campus stands its most prominent and important structure, Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel.”
      The California campus has a chapel at the head of its academic quadrangle.
    2. Faith & Works | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-catholic-life/faith-works · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “Most students also attend weekday Masses, frequent the Sacrament of Confession, and participate in daily rosaries and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.”
      Students take part in weekday Masses, confession, rosaries, and Eucharistic adoration.
  • Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adorationNot enough information: no verified Mass times are recorded.
ATheology and core curriculum: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Theology and core curriculum

100 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Theology or religious studies courses required of all bachelor's studentsThree or more courses (Theology meets 3 semester hours in each of 8 semesters (24 hours) in a single required curriculum.)
    Sources (2)
    1. The Degree | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-liberating-education/degree · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “Mathematics | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 28 | Philosophy | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 24 | Language | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 12 | Theology | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 24 | Natural Science | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 28 | Music | 2 | 2 | 4 | Seminar | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 24 | Senior Thesis | 2 | 2”
      The full curriculum includes 24 semester hours each of theology and philosophy (3 hours in each of 8 semesters) and no service-learning component.
    2. A Liberating Education | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-liberating-education · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “There are no majors, no minors, no electives, and no specializations.”
      All students follow the same curriculum; there are no majors or electives.
  • Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Required theology includes explicitly Catholic content (Scripture, Catholic tradition, sacraments)At least one required course is explicitly Catholic theology (Required theology readings include the Bible, St. Augustine, and St. Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologiae (including On the Sacraments).)
    Sources (1)
    1. Syllabus | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-liberating-education/syllabus · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “Senior Year | Theology | St. Thomas Aquinas | Summa Theologiae: On the Trinity, On the Sacraments, On the Passion of Christ”
      Required senior-year theology studies St. Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologiae on the Trinity, the sacraments, and the Passion of Christ.
  • Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Philosophy courses required of all bachelor's studentsThree or more courses (Philosophy meets 3 semester hours in each of 8 semesters (24 hours).)
    Sources (2)
    1. The Degree | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-liberating-education/degree · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “Mathematics | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 28 | Philosophy | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 24 | Language | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 12 | Theology | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 24 | Natural Science | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 28 | Music | 2 | 2 | 4 | Seminar | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 24 | Senior Thesis | 2 | 2”
      The full curriculum includes 24 semester hours each of theology and philosophy (3 hours in each of 8 semesters) and no service-learning component.
    2. A Liberating Education | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-liberating-education · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “There are no majors, no minors, no electives, and no specializations.”
      All students follow the same curriculum; there are no majors or electives.
  • Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Core curriculum explicitly draws on the Catholic intellectual traditionYes, stated in the catalog or core description
    Sources (1)
    1. A Catholic Life | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-catholic-life · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “The intellectual tradition and moral teachings of the Catholic Church infuse the whole life of the College, illuminating all learning as well as the community within which learning takes place. The curriculum is ordered toward theology”
      The college describes its curriculum as shaped by the Catholic intellectual tradition and ordered toward theology.
  • Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Theology or religious studies major offeredNo majors: every student follows one curriculum with substantial required theology (The college offers a single B.A. in Liberal Arts with no majors; theology is required in all four years.)
    Sources (2)
    1. The Degree | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-liberating-education/degree · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “Mathematics | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 28 | Philosophy | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 24 | Language | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 12 | Theology | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 24 | Natural Science | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 28 | Music | 2 | 2 | 4 | Seminar | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 24 | Senior Thesis | 2 | 2”
      The full curriculum includes 24 semester hours each of theology and philosophy (3 hours in each of 8 semesters) and no service-learning component.
    2. A Liberating Education | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-liberating-education · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “There are no majors, no minors, no electives, and no specializations.”
      All students follow the same curriculum; there are no majors or electives.
  • Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Publicly affirms Ex Corde Ecclesiae in mission or governance documentsYes
    Sources (1)
    1. A Catholic Life | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-catholic-life · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “Although founded nearly two decades before Pope St. John Paul II’s Ex Corde Ecclesiae, Thomas Aquinas College has always sought to operate in accordance with the principles that this encyclical elucidates.”
      The college states that it operates in accordance with the principles of Ex Corde Ecclesiae.
BCampus culture and residence life: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Campus culture and residence life

76 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffing (chaplains, ministers, and professional staff)Two to four (Three chaplains listed for the California campus.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Chaplains | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-catholic-life/chaplains · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “California Rev. Robert Marczewski Head Chaplain and Assistant to the Dean for Religious Affairs Rev. Brendan Kelly Rev. Francisco Nahoe, OFMConv”
      Three priest chaplains are listed for the California campus.
  • Partly: Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Retreats offered to students each yearOne to three (Retreats are described as regular occurrences.)
    Sources (1)
    1. A Catholic Life | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-catholic-life · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “Retreats and vocations talks, processions and holy hours, the Rosary and the Liturgy of the Hours — all are regular occurrences among the student body.”
      Retreats are offered to students.
  • Partly: Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Catholic student organizations and faith-formation groupsOne or two (A pro-life group and the Legion of Mary are named.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Beyond the Classroom | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/student-life/beyond-classroom · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “There are also various student-run organizations such as the de Tocqueville Society (politics), the Pre-Medical Society, a pro-life group, and the Legion of Mary.”
      Student organizations include a pro-life group and the Legion of Mary.
  • Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Single-sex residence optionsSingle-sex residence halls available
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Living | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/student-life/campus-living · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “Residence Halls are all single-sex”
      All residence halls are single-sex.
  • Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Overnight guest policy in residence hallsOvernight guests of the opposite sex not permitted
    Sources (1)
    1. California Code of Conduct | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/students/california-code-conduct · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “Men’s and women’s residence hall areas, including patios and courtyards, are always off limits to the opposite sex”
      Residence halls are closed to members of the opposite sex at all times.
  • Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith life in residence halls (hall chaplains, hall Masses, or faith-based living communities)Yes (Students gather for nightly prayer in the residence halls; chaplains live on campus.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith & Works | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-catholic-life/faith-works · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “in the residence halls, where students gather for nightly prayer”
      Students gather for nightly prayer in the residence halls.
  • Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Office or senior officer for mission and Catholic identityNot enough information: not found in official sources.
CService and Catholic social teaching: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Service and Catholic social teaching

68 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Service or volunteer centerNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • No: No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Service-learning or community engagement in the curriculumNone (The published degree chart lists every course in the single required curriculum, with no electives and no service-learning component.)
    Sources (2)
    1. The Degree | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-liberating-education/degree · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “Mathematics | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 28 | Philosophy | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 24 | Language | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 12 | Theology | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 24 | Natural Science | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 28 | Music | 2 | 2 | 4 | Seminar | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 24 | Senior Thesis | 2 | 2”
      The full curriculum includes 24 semester hours each of theology and philosophy (3 hours in each of 8 semesters) and no service-learning component.
    2. A Liberating Education | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-liberating-education · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “There are no majors, no minors, no electives, and no specializations.”
      All students follow the same curriculum; there are no majors or electives.
  • Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic social teaching in the curriculum (course, minor, center, or core requirement)Part of the required core (Rerum Novarum and Quadragesimo Anno are read in the required senior-year seminar; every course is required (no electives).)
    Sources (2)
    1. Syllabus | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-liberating-education/syllabus · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “Leo XIII | Aeterni Patris, Rerum Novarum | Pius XII | Humani Generis | Pius XI | Quadragesimo Anno”
      The required curriculum includes the social encyclicals Rerum Novarum and Quadragesimo Anno.
    2. A Liberating Education | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-liberating-education · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “There are no majors, no minors, no electives, and no specializations.”
      All students follow the same curriculum; there are no majors or electives.
  • Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Pro-life engagement (student pro-life group, support for pregnant and parenting students, or institutional initiatives)Two or more
    Sources (2)
    1. Beyond the Classroom | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/student-life/beyond-classroom · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “There are also various student-run organizations such as the de Tocqueville Society (politics), the Pre-Medical Society, a pro-life group, and the Legion of Mary.”
      Student organizations include a pro-life group and the Legion of Mary.
    2. Faith & Works | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-catholic-life/faith-works · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “Each January, roughly two-thirds of the California student body makes the 350-mile trip to San Francisco to help lead the annual Walk for Life West Coast”
      California students travel each January to the Walk for Life West Coast.
  • Partly: Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersion trips, poverty, migration, or care-for-creation initiatives)One (Food drives on both campuses.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith & Works | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-catholic-life/faith-works · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “On both campuses there are food drives, blood drives, and charitable fund-raisers.”
      Students run food drives, blood drives, and charitable fund-raisers, presented as works of faith.
  • Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Service explicitly rooted in the Catholic mission (run with campus ministry or the mission office, or framed by Catholic social teaching)Yes (Charitable works are presented on the 'Faith & Works' page as expressions of the Catholic faith.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faith & Works | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-catholic-life/faith-works · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “On both campuses there are food drives, blood drives, and charitable fund-raisers.”
      Students run food drives, blood drives, and charitable fund-raisers, presented as works of faith.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

  • Mass is offered four times daily on the California campus, with confession available before and after each Mass.
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Living | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/student-life/campus-living · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “Mass is offered four times daily in California and twice in New England. Confession is available before and after each Mass.”
      Mass is offered four times daily on the California campus, with confession before and after each Mass.
    2. A Catholic Life | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-catholic-life · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “The College’s chaplains offer Mass twice each day in New England and four times in California, hearing confessions before and after each Mass.”
      College chaplains offer Mass four times a day in California and hear confessions before and after each Mass.
  • All students take theology and philosophy in each of eight semesters, including St. Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologiae.
    Sources (3)
    1. The Degree | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-liberating-education/degree · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “Mathematics | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 28 | Philosophy | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 24 | Language | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 12 | Theology | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 24 | Natural Science | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 28 | Music | 2 | 2 | 4 | Seminar | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 24 | Senior Thesis | 2 | 2”
      The full curriculum includes 24 semester hours each of theology and philosophy (3 hours in each of 8 semesters) and no service-learning component.
    2. A Liberating Education | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-liberating-education · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “There are no majors, no minors, no electives, and no specializations.”
      All students follow the same curriculum; there are no majors or electives.
    3. Syllabus | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-liberating-education/syllabus · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “Senior Year | Theology | St. Thomas Aquinas | Summa Theologiae: On the Trinity, On the Sacraments, On the Passion of Christ”
      Required senior-year theology studies St. Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologiae on the Trinity, the sacraments, and the Passion of Christ.
  • Three full-time priest chaplains are listed for the California campus, and the chaplains live on campus.
    Sources (1)
    1. Chaplains | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-catholic-life/chaplains · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “The students of Thomas Aquinas College are blessed by the ministry of five full-time chaplains who reside on the two campuses.”
      Five full-time chaplains live on the college's two campuses.
      “California Rev. Robert Marczewski Head Chaplain and Assistant to the Dean for Religious Affairs Rev. Brendan Kelly Rev. Francisco Nahoe, OFMConv”
      Three priest chaplains are listed for the California campus.
  • Residence halls are single-sex and are off limits to the opposite sex at all times.
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Living | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/student-life/campus-living · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “Residence Halls are all single-sex”
      All residence halls are single-sex.
    2. California Code of Conduct | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/students/california-code-conduct · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “Men’s and women’s residence hall areas, including patios and courtyards, are always off limits to the opposite sex”
      Residence halls are closed to members of the opposite sex at all times.

Concerns

  • No theology major is offered; the college grants a single liberal arts degree with no majors.
    Sources (1)
    1. A Liberating Education | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-liberating-education · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “There are no majors, no minors, no electives, and no specializations.”
      All students follow the same curriculum; there are no majors or electives.
  • The required curriculum has no service-learning component.
    Sources (2)
    1. The Degree | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-liberating-education/degree · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “Mathematics | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 28 | Philosophy | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 24 | Language | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 12 | Theology | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 24 | Natural Science | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 28 | Music | 2 | 2 | 4 | Seminar | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 24 | Senior Thesis | 2 | 2”
      The full curriculum includes 24 semester hours each of theology and philosophy (3 hours in each of 8 semesters) and no service-learning component.
    2. A Liberating Education | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-liberating-education · verified Oct. 7, 2026
      “There are no majors, no minors, no electives, and no specializations.”
      All students follow the same curriculum; there are no majors or electives.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel (College Chaplaincy, California campus)

  • Address: 10,000 Ojai Road, Santa Paula, CA 93060
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

Source: thomasaquinas.edu, verified Oct. 7, 2026, thomasaquinas.edu, verified Oct. 7, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

18 groups and regular activities · 16 on campus, 2 off campus

Service 3

  • Walk for Life West CoastOff campus
    January
    Roughly two-thirds of California students travel to San Francisco to help lead the annual Walk for Life West Coast.
  • Prayer at local abortion clinicsOff campus
    Throughout the year
    Groups of students pray outside local abortion clinics.
  • Food drives, blood drives, and fund-raisersOn campus
    Charitable drives and fund-raisers held on both campuses.

Faith formation 2

  • Vocations talksOn campus
    Talks on priestly and religious vocations are held regularly.
  • Spiritual directionOn campus
    Free spiritual direction with the resident chaplains, who meet privately with students for advice and confession.

Clubs and groups 2

Liturgy and prayer 8

  • Acolytes and sacristansOn campus
    Many students serve as acolytes and sacristans.
  • Thomas Aquinas College ChoirOn campus
    Weekly rehearsals; Sunday Mass
    College choir that rehearses weekly and sings at each Sunday Mass.
  • Schola GregorianaOn campus
    Sundays
    Men's Gregorian chant schola that sings at the Sunday Extraordinary Form Mass.
  • Nightly prayer in the residence hallsOn campus
    Nightly
    Students gather in the residence halls for prayer each night.
  • Rosary and Eucharistic adorationOn campus
    Daily
    Daily and evening rosaries and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament are part of campus life.
  • ProcessionsOn campus
    Major feast days
    Processions on the academic quadrangle on major feast days.
Show 2 more
  • Holy hours and Liturgy of the HoursOn campus
    Holy hours and the Liturgy of the Hours are described as regular occurrences among students.
  • Solemnity of the chapel's dedicationOn campus
    March 7
    The March 7 anniversary of the chapel's dedication on the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas is kept as a solemnity on the California campus.

Retreats 1

Social life 2

  • Meals with the chaplainsOn campus
    Students often sit with the chaplains and visiting clergy in the dining hall.
  • Dances, open-mic nights, and moviesOn campus
    On-campus events organized by student activity directors.

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Campus ministry

Sources (3)
  1. Chaplains | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-catholic-life/chaplains · verified Oct. 7, 2026
    “The students of Thomas Aquinas College are blessed by the ministry of five full-time chaplains who reside on the two campuses.”
    Five full-time chaplains live on the college's two campuses.
    “California Rev. Robert Marczewski Head Chaplain and Assistant to the Dean for Religious Affairs Rev. Brendan Kelly Rev. Francisco Nahoe, OFMConv”
    Three priest chaplains are listed for the California campus.
  2. Beyond the Classroom | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/student-life/beyond-classroom · verified Oct. 7, 2026
    “There are also various student-run organizations such as the de Tocqueville Society (politics), the Pre-Medical Society, a pro-life group, and the Legion of Mary.”
    Student organizations include a pro-life group and the Legion of Mary.
    “There are also various student-run organizations such as the de Tocqueville Society (politics), the Pre-Medical Society, a pro-life group, and the Legion of Mary.”
    Student organizations include a pro-life group and the Legion of Mary.
  3. Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel | Thomas Aquinas Collegethomasaquinas.edu/a-catholic-life/ca-chapel · verified Oct. 7, 2026
    “At the head of the academic quadrangle on Thomas Aquinas College’s California campus stands its most prominent and important structure, Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel.”
    The California campus has a chapel at the head of its academic quadrangle.
    “California 10,000 Ojai Road Santa Paula, CA 93060 805-525-4417”
    The California campus address is 10,000 Ojai Road, Santa Paula, CA 93060.

Reach out

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Academic Excellence

AAcademic Excellence: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
92 of 100
From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

  • Graduation rate 35% of scoreThis measure counts for 35% of the Academic Excellence score.84%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.92%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,329 · ACT 30.5
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.11 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$17,897

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.

Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Value and outcomes
Undergraduate students
Fall enrollment (IPEDS)
539
Total students539
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$26,196
Cost of attendance (per year)$43,426
Median federal debt at graduation$18,000
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
84%
First-year retention92%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$55,619
Admission rate83%
Students receiving Pell grants27%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1329
SAT reading & writing640–730
SAT math580–670
ACT composite28–33
Test policyRequired

Value index: 62 / 100 (how it’s computed)

Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.

Local Church

Archdiocese of Los Angeles

The Most Reverend José H. Gomez, Archbishop of Los Angeles

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: lacatholics.org, lacatholics.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

Diocese determined from the county, using the diocese’s county list (Wikipedia). Confirm with the diocese.

About this school’s data

  • IPEDS unit ID 124292
  • Carnegie classification: Baccalaureate college (arts & sciences)
  • Accreditation: American Academy for Liberal Education; WASC Senior College and University Commission (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
  • Religious affiliation (IPEDS): Roman Catholic
  • Report an error or a newer source
  • Respond as this school

Questions families ask

Is Thomas Aquinas College a Catholic college?
Yes. Thomas Aquinas College is a Catholic college in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
What is Thomas Aquinas College’s Compass Score?
88 out of 100 (grade A). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Is Thomas Aquinas College Compass Recommended?
Yes. Thomas Aquinas College meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic identity and academics.

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