A faithfully Catholic liberal arts college built entirely on Great Books and classroom discussion.
Thomas Aquinas College offers a single integrated Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal arts, distinguished by its exclusive use of original Great Books rather than textbooks. The curriculum spans mathematics, science, language, literature, philosophy, and theology, taught through small-group discussion seminars. The college emphasizes both natural and divine wisdom, with texts selected as masterworks or sources that lead students toward truth through engagement and opposition. Faculty-student ratio is 1:11.
The California campus spans 845 acres in rural Santa Paula with mission-style architecture and nearby beaches. The New England campus in Northfield, Massachusetts occupies 100 acres near the Connecticut River with historic colonial buildings. Both campuses feature the St. John Paul II athletic center (opened 2022 in California) with exercise facilities, climbing wall, lap pool, and courts. Unmarried students live in six dormitories with gender-separated housing. Intramural sports include volleyball, soccer, football, basketball, ultimate frisbee, and baseball. Student life includes the St. Genesius Players (annual Shakespeare productions), College Choir (Sunday Mass and spring musicals), and various cultural events. Alcohol and illegal drugs are prohibited.
Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel, dedicated in 2009, serves as the spiritual center of the California campus. This 15,000-square-foot, $23 million building features Early Christian, Renaissance, and Spanish Mission architectural styles, with a 135-foot bell tower and 89-foot dome. Three chaplain-priests reside on campus providing sacraments and spiritual direction. The college maintains institutional autonomy by refusing federal and Church funding, relying instead on private donations for scholarships.
The Saint Bernardine of Siena Library (California) houses approximately 65,900 works and features a 17th-century Spanish monastery artesonado ceiling. The collection includes rare items such as thousand-year-old Hittite seals and devotional objects of saints. The New England campus operates the Dolben Library. Academic resources include lecture and concert series supporting the Great Books curriculum.
The college does not provide merit-based scholarships; 67% of students receive need-based financial aid. A financial aid calculator and portal are available on the website. The college offers a two-week High School Summer Great Books Program for rising seniors at both campuses. Admissions information and application details are available through the college's admissions portal.
Alumni pursue diverse careers in priesthood and religious life, law and public policy, education, business, arts and media, and STEM fields. One-third of students attend graduate school. Notable alumni include John Berg (Superior General, Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter), Mary Neumayr (White House Council on Environmental Quality), and Paul J. O'Reilly (current college president).