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William Jessup University vs Thomas Aquinas College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Rocklin CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Santa Paula CA

The verdict

William Jessup University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $112,248 in 14.2 years versus 14.4 years at Thomas Aquinas College, on median earnings of $56,257 vs $55,619 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWilliam Jessup UniversityThomas Aquinas College
Net price / yr$28,062$26,196
Total net cost$112,248$104,784
Median earnings, 10 yrs$56,257$55,619
Median debt$23,700$18,000
Payback14.2 yrs14.4 yrs
20-year net return$45,692$40,396

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, William Jessup University or Thomas Aquinas College?

Thomas Aquinas College, at $26,196 a year after aid versus $28,062 — a gap of $1,866 a year, or $7,464 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do William Jessup University or Thomas Aquinas College graduates earn more?

William Jessup University graduates report a median $56,257 ten years after entry, $638 more than the $55,619 at Thomas Aquinas College. 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, William Jessup University or Thomas Aquinas College?

Thomas Aquinas College: its completers carry a median $18,000 in federal loans versus $23,700 at William Jessup University, a difference of $5,700. 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 56% at William Jessup 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.

William Jessup University vs Thomas Aquinas College: frequently asked questions

Is William Jessup University or Thomas Aquinas College a better value?
William Jessup University. It clears its $112,248 net cost in about 14.2 years versus 14.4 years at Thomas Aquinas College, on median earnings of $56,257 vs $55,619 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, William Jessup University or Thomas Aquinas College?
Thomas Aquinas College: $26,196/yr net price after aid versus $28,062/yr at William Jessup University — a difference of $1,866 a year, or about $7,464 over four years.
Do William Jessup University or Thomas Aquinas College graduates earn more?
William Jessup University graduates earn a median $56,257 ten years after entry, versus $55,619 at Thomas Aquinas College — a $638 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.