St. Thomas Aquinas College
St. Thomas Aquinas College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
St. Thomas Aquinas College at a Glance
St. Thomas Aquinas College (STAC) is a private college in Sparkill, New York, United States. The college is named after the medieval philosopher and theologian Thomas Aquinas. It was founded by the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, whose headquarters are in the town. The college offers 35 majors across three schools: Arts and Sciences, Business, and Education.
1952
74 years old
1,950
1,795 undergrad · 155 grad
52
Identity
Is St. Thomas Aquinas College Worth It?
St. Thomas Aquinas College offers moderate value at $19,994/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $62,909, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 58% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 93% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How St. Thomas Aquinas College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NY
Ranked #10 of 77 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Mount Carmel College of Nursing | 100 | $10,420 | $75,103 |
| #2 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #3 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #4 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #5 | Goshen College | 56 | $14,493 | $51,943 |
| #6 | College of Our Lady of the Elms | 49 | $17,545 | $51,540 |
| #10 | St. Thomas Aquinas College | 46 | $19,994 | $62,909 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of St. Thomas Aquinas College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in NY.
Best Programs at St. Thomas Aquinas College
The highest-earning program at St. Thomas Aquinas College is Communication and Media Studies at $37,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $25,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Communication and Media Studies graduate from St. Thomas Aquinas College earns $37,000, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $25,000. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Communication and Media Studies graduates carry $21,500 in median debt vs. $23,000 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $19,994/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies | $37,000 | $37,000 | $21,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $34,000 | $34,000 | $19,500 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $29,500 | $29,500 | $23,000 |
| Psychology, General | $25,000 | $25,000 | $23,000 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Sparkill, NY
- Student Body
- 972 students
- Admission Rate
- 93%
- Graduation Rate
- 58%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $19,994
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $62,909
- Median Student Debt
- $23,198