Students at St.
Thomas Aquinas College achieve above-average long-term earnings that place the institution in the top quartile nationally for graduate financial outcomes.
The college combines solid career preparation with manageable debt levels, creating sustainable pathways to middle-class careers for its graduates.
St. Thomas Aquinas College is a small private nonprofit institution in Sparkill, New York, that delivers above-average long-term earnings outcomes for its graduates. With median 10-year earnings of $62,909, the college places in the 72nd percentile nationally for graduate earnings, demonstrating solid return on investment despite its modest size and regional focus. The institution serves a selective student body, with about 18% of students receiving Pell Grants and roughly 32% being first-generation college students.
What distinguishes St. Thomas Aquinas is its ability to help students achieve meaningful career outcomes across diverse fields. The college's strongest programs include Adult and Continuing Education, which produces graduates earning around $50,270 ten years out, and various professional programs that connect directly to stable career paths. With a 63% six-year graduation rate, the institution provides the close-knit academic environment that many students seek while maintaining focus on practical, career-oriented education.
As a small private college in the New York metropolitan area, St. Thomas Aquinas offers students access to internships and job opportunities in one of the nation's most dynamic employment markets. The combination of personalized attention, regional employer connections, and solid graduate outcomes makes it an appealing option for students who want the benefits of a private college education without the premium pricing of more selective institutions.
St. Thomas Aquinas College's program portfolio reflects its mission as a comprehensive private institution serving the New York metropolitan area. Adult and Continuing Education stands out as both a high-return and strategically important program, graduating 23 students annually with median earnings around $50,270, making it the college's strongest performer in terms of aggregate economic impact. This program serves working professionals seeking career advancement, aligning with the college's practical, career-focused approach.
Criminal Justice represents the college's largest program by enrollment, graduating 29 students annually, though early-career earnings average $30,228, reflecting the public service orientation of corrections and law enforcement careers. Psychology, with 28 graduates, shows more modest early earnings at $22,329, typical for a field where many students pursue graduate education or begin in entry-level social services positions. These programs demonstrate the college's commitment to preparing students for meaningful careers in education, public safety, and human services.
The college's program mix emphasizes practical, professionally-oriented fields that connect directly to regional employment opportunities. While earnings vary by field, the institution's overall strong performance in graduate outcomes suggests that students across programs benefit from small class sizes, personalized faculty attention, and connections to employers throughout the New York metropolitan area.
Graduates of St. Thomas Aquinas College achieve solid long-term financial outcomes, with median earnings of $62,909 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution in the 72nd percentile nationally. This performance reflects the college's focus on practical, career-oriented programs that connect students directly to stable employment opportunities in the New York metropolitan region. The college's location provides graduates access to diverse job markets, from education and social services to business and criminal justice fields.
The strongest financial returns come from the college's education programs, particularly Adult and Continuing Education, which graduates 23 students annually with median earnings around $50,270. Criminal Justice represents the largest program by enrollment with 29 graduates, though earnings in this field average $30,228 early in career, reflecting the public service nature of many corrections and law enforcement roles. Psychology, another popular major with 28 graduates, shows more modest early earnings at $22,329, typical for a field where many students pursue graduate education or entry-level positions in social services.
The college's career outcomes benefit from its proximity to New York City and the broader metropolitan area, where graduates can access diverse employment opportunities across multiple sectors. While earnings vary significantly by field of study, the institution's overall performance in the 72nd percentile nationally demonstrates that most graduates achieve solid middle-class incomes that justify their educational investment.
St. Thomas Aquinas College maintains relatively accessible pricing for a private institution, with net prices that vary significantly by family income level. Low-income students pay approximately $13,977 annually after aid, while middle-income families face costs around $20,644 per year, and higher-income households pay about $25,598. These price points reflect the college's commitment to making private education accessible through substantial financial aid, particularly for students from lower-income backgrounds.
The college's financial aid strategy helps bridge the gap between private college sticker prices and what families can realistically afford. For many middle-income families who often struggle with college costs—earning too much to qualify for extensive need-based aid but not enough to pay full price comfortably—St. Thomas Aquinas provides a middle ground that makes private education feasible. The institution's aid packaging appears designed to compete effectively with public options while maintaining the personalized attention and smaller class sizes that define the private college experience.
Debt levels reflect the college's private status but remain within manageable ranges for most graduates. With typical federal student loan debt around $23,198 and Parent PLUS borrowing averaging $25,860, families are taking on moderate debt loads that align with the institution's solid earnings outcomes. The combination of reasonable net prices and strong graduate earnings creates a sustainable financial model for most students and families.
St. Thomas Aquinas College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
