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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.
Report Lists TAC Among Top 30 Colleges with Lowest Student Debt
“The problem of excessive student debt has reached a point of crisis,” according to a new online report about college affordability. “Fortunately, there are some schools willing to accommodate these students. They provide a means by which students can finance their education without incurring crippling debt that will follow them for the rest of their lives.”
These schools make up the KnowInsiders.com list of the Top 30+ Colleges with the Lowest Student Debt in the U.S. Today. Notable among the deep-pocketed Ivies and state schools featured on the list is Thomas Aquinas College — the only Catholic school in the United States to be included.
“According to Lendedu, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have an average student loan debt of $19,269,” the report notes. “However, unlike some colleges, there aren’t any other mandatory extra fees that raise the cost of attendance. Thomas Aquinas College constantly looks for ways to help students cut costs. Limiting the amount of loans that students can take out before they are automatically eligible for financial aid from the college is one way it accomplishes this.”
Nationwide, the average federal student loan debt is $37,338 per borrower. Yet, by God’s grace, the College asks students receiving financial aid to borrow no more than $19,500 over four years.
Moreover, because the College has a fixed curriculum, most students complete its academic program in just four years, which limits the amount that families must pay — and students must borrow — to cover tuition. The four-year graduation rate for American college students is just 47 percent, compared to 77 percent for TAC students. As a result, the total cost of education at a typical public or private college, even if its tuition rate is nominally lower than the College’s, is oftentimes higher, because students must pay for two to four additional semesters.
“We aim to graduate alumni who can contribute immediately to the Church and to society — as professionals in a wide range of fields, as spouses and parents, and as priests and religious,” says Executive Director of College Relations Chris Weinkopf. “Key to doing that is making sure our graduates are not burdened with excessive debt, which we do through a robust program of financial aid, made possible by many benefactors who are committed to the College’s mission of Catholic liberal education.”
Numerous college guides have praised Thomas Aquinas College for its financial aid program and low student-debt rates. Kiplinger has rated TAC No. 1 among its “Best Value Colleges.” The Princeton Review gives the College a rating of 96 out of a possible score of 99 for financial aid. And U.S. News & World Report ranks TAC as No. 24 in the United States for social mobility.