Ave Maria vs Thomas Aquinas
Side by side: Mass and confession times, faith grades, academics, cost after aid and outcomes.
AFaith: 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.Ave Maria UniversityAve Maria, FLCatholic collegeAFaith: 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.Thomas Aquinas CollegeSanta Paula, CACatholic college
At a glance
- Ave Maria lists Mass every weekday.
- Thomas Aquinas has the higher graduation rate: 84% against 54% at Ave Maria.
- For families earning $48,001 to $75,000, Thomas Aquinas has the lower price after aid: $20,118 a year, against $23,790 at Ave Maria.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are higher at Thomas Aquinas: $55,619, against $49,520 at Ave Maria.
Catholic life
Faith grade
AFaith: 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.
AFaith: 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.
Compass Score
ACompass Score: 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.
ACompass Score: 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
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.
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.
Theology and core curriculum
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.
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.
Campus culture and residence life
ACampus culture and residence 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.
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.
Service and Catholic social teaching
AService and Catholic social teaching: 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.
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.
Mass times
Every weekday
Confession times
16 times a week
Campus ministry
3 listed
4 listed
The college
Control
Private nonprofit
Private nonprofit
Location
Ave Maria, FL
Santa Paula, CA
Setting
Rural
Rural
Students
1,335
539
Academics
Academic Excellence grade
CAcademic Excellence: 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.
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.
Admission rate
41%
83%
Average SAT
1329
ACT middle 50%
28–33
Graduation rate
54%
84%
First-year retention
79%
92%
Cost and outcomes
Average net price a year
$24,860
$26,196
Net price, up to $30,000 income
$18,761
$19,761
Net price, $30,001–$48,000 income
$20,840
$21,236
Net price, $48,001–$75,000 income
$23,790
$20,118
Net price, $75,001–$110,000 income
$24,088
$23,185
Net price, over $110,000 income
$27,107
$29,757
Median debt
$20,776
$18,000
Median earnings 10 years after entry
$49,520
$55,619
The grades and the Compass Score are Catholic School Compass ratings from documented sources; each college’s page lists its sources. Cost, admission, graduation, earnings and debt are federal data. This page does not rank the two colleges.