
Sparkill, NYprivate nonprofitwww.stac.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 81%–89% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, NY, is a small, accessible liberal arts college with a 93% acceptance rate and a tight-knit campus community. Known for its strong graduation rates (62%) and proximity to New York City, it offers a practical, student-focused education with notable programs in health sciences and social sciences.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
St. Thomas Aquinas College is decidedly non-selective, with a 93% acceptance rate (2,047 admitted out of 2,200 applicants in 2024). The average SAT score for admitted students falls between 880-1090, though the college maintains a test-optional policy. Notably, 75% of students receive financial aid, making it an accessible option for many. The school accepts the Common Application, streamlining the process for prospective students.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
St. Thomas Aquinas offers a student-faculty ratio of 16:1, emphasizing personalized attention. The most popular majors include Health and Physical Education/Fitness, Social Sciences (9% of students), and Communication/Journalism (4%). The college lacks traditional majors/minors at some institutions, instead focusing on a liberal arts core with experiential learning opportunities. U.S. News & World Report has recognized it for strong outcomes, including graduation rates and alumni success.
The close-knit campus (51% live on-campus) thrives on mentorship and community, with faculty often doubling as advisors. Students enjoy dances, movie nights, and clubs, including pre-med groups. The Bernardine of Siena Library is a study hub, and residence halls are strictly single-sex. Proximity to NYC (just 15 miles north) provides easy access to internships and cultural opportunities.
St. Thomas Aquinas boasts a 62% graduation rate (above the 59% national midpoint) and a 73% freshman retention rate. Recent graduates earn a median salary of $30,940, with 72% outpacing high school grad earnings. The college has been nationally recognized for strong alumni outcomes and value by Money magazine and U.S. News.
Tuition is $41,100, but 75% of students receive aid, reducing the average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. to $21,257. The college offers scholarships, grants, and work-study, with aid packages averaging $34,917. A True Cost Calculator helps families estimate personalized aid.
St. Thomas Aquinas combines accessibility (93% acceptance) with strong outcomes (62% graduation rate), a rarity among regional colleges. Its small classes (16:1 ratio) and mentorship culture foster success, while proximity to NYC unlocks internships and cultural capital. The college punches above its weight in alumni earnings and national recognition, offering a practical, community-focused alternative to cutthroat urban campuses.