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About
Fidelity & ExcellenceThomas Aquinas College is unique among American colleges and universities, offering a faithfully Catholic education comprised entirely of the Great Books and classroom discussions.
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A Liberating Education
Truth MattersTruth, and nothing less, sets men free; and because truth is both natural and supernatural, the College’s curriculum aims at both natural and divine wisdom.
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A Catholic Life
Under the Light of FaithThe intellectual tradition and moral teachings of the Catholic Church infuse the whole life of Thomas Aquinas College, illuminating the curriculum and the community alike.
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Admission & Aid
Is TAC Right for You?Do you enjoy grappling with complex questions? Are you willing to engage in discussions about difficult concepts, with the truth as your ultimate goal?
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Students & Parents
Mind, Body & SpiritThere is always something to do at TAC — something worthwhile, something fulfilling, and something geared toward ever-greater spiritual and intellectual growth.
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Alumni & Careers
What Can You Do with a Liberal Education?Nothing speaks more to the versatility of the College’s academic program than the good that our alumni are doing throughout the Church and the world.
U.S. News Report: Thomas Aquinas College, “Most Popular” among Applicants and “Most-Loved” by Alumni
(SANTA PAULA, Calif.) — January 27, 2011— Each year, U.S. News & World Report surveys colleges and universities across the country concerning the level of popularity they have among their applicants, and the level of satisfaction that exists among their alumni. In both cases, the findings show that Thomas Aquinas College is among the best schools in the nation, ranking among the “Top 10” in both areas — and it is the only Catholic college in the country to be so ranked.
In survey results released last week by US News, Thomas Aquinas College ranked #5 among all national liberal arts school for what the magazine calls, “one of the best indicators of a school’s popularity among students,” namely, its yield — “the percentage of applicants accepted by a college who end up enrolling at that institution in the fall.” Having a high yield is a sign that Thomas Aquinas College’s mission is clearly defined and that it is articulated well by spokespersons and through various types of media. The result is that the 4-year, co-educational college attracts applicants well-suited to its unique program of Catholic liberal education. Director of Admissions Jon Daly points out, “That our applicants who matriculate are a good fit for this is program is also borne out by the high retention and graduation rates we enjoy at Thomas Aquinas College.”
US News also reported on their survey of alumni at more than 1,700 institutions nationwide. Says the magazine’s Katy Hopkins, “Alumni school spirit can manifest itself in many ways — from sideline support at athletic events to networking with current students.” But a more objective measure, she continues,” is the percent of graduates who give money back to their school.” In this survey, Thomas Aquinas College ranked #10 in the country for alumni satisfaction as expressed through alumni gift giving. Again, it is the only Catholic institution on the magazine’s “Top 20” list.
Says President Mike McLean, “It is gratifying to learn from this survey that our alumni are deeply satisfied with their alma mater. But it is not a complete surprise. What we offer our students is an education for their whole lives — not simply the know-how for a particular profession or career. So, as the years play out, our alumni naturally come to appreciate their education more and more. I am deeply grateful to them for expressing their satisfaction through financial support for their alma mater. Their generosity is immediately helpful to current students, so many of whom need financial aid in order to attend the college. But it is also a sign of institutional strength to foundations and individuals that are considering support for Thomas Aquinas College.”
About Thomas Aquinas College: Highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report and one of only 13 institutions in the country on The Princeton Review’s “Financial Aid Honor Roll,” Thomas Aquinas College is a four-year, Catholic liberal arts college located in Ventura County, 60 minutes northeast of Los Angeles. The 4-year, co-educational school offers a fully-integrated curriculum composed exclusively of the Great Books, the seminal works in the major disciplines by the great thinkers who have helped shape Western civilization. There are no textbooks, no lectures and no electives. Instead, under the guidance of faculty members and using only the Discussion Method in classes of no more than 20, students read and discuss the original works of authors such as Euclid, Dante, Galileo, Descartes, the American Founding Fathers, Adam Smith, Shakespeare, Copernicus, Kepler, Newton, Einstein, Aristotle, Plato, St. Augustine, and of course, St. Thomas Aquinas. Graduates consistently excel in the many world-class institutions at which they pursue graduate degrees in fields such as law, medicine, business, architecture, theology, and education. They have distinguished themselves serving as lawyers, doctors, business owners, priests, military service men and women, educators, journalists and college presidents.