Simpson University vs Thomas Aquinas College: which has better ROI?
Thomas Aquinas College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $104,784 in 14.4 years versus 18.6 years at Simpson University, on median earnings of $55,619 vs $54,340 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Simpson University | Thomas Aquinas College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $27,817 | $26,196 |
| Total net cost | $111,268 | $104,784 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,340 | $55,619 |
| Median debt | $18,750 | $18,000 |
| Payback | 18.6 yrs | 14.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $8,332 | $40,396 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Simpson University or Thomas Aquinas College?
Thomas Aquinas College, at $26,196 a year after aid versus $27,817 — a gap of $1,621 a year, or $6,484 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Simpson University or Thomas Aquinas College graduates earn more?
Thomas Aquinas College graduates report a median $55,619 ten years after entry, $1,279 more than the $54,340 at Simpson University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Simpson University or Thomas Aquinas College?
Thomas Aquinas College: its completers carry a median $18,000 in federal loans versus $18,750 at Simpson University, a difference of $750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
84% of students finish at Thomas Aquinas College, against 49% at Simpson University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.