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������ý Factual, a statistics-based guide that aims to “help students find and get great deals on the best fit colleges for them,”  Thomas Aquinas ������ý as No. 8 in the United States on its list of the 1,510 .

“When our founders established the ������ý nearly a half-century ago, they were determined to create a truly excellent academic program that would be available to anyone with the ability and determination to pursue it, irrespective of financial means,” says Director of Admissions Jon Daly. “To be recognized nationally by ������ý Factual and others for value — that is, for the quality of our education and its affordability — is an affirmation that the ������ý has remained true to that vision.”

On the academic side, ������ý Factual observes, “Thomas Aquinas ������ý is one of the best in the country when it comes to freshman retention,” with a 92 percent retention rate, compared to 72 percent nationwide. The ������ý also has a low student-faculty ratio (11:1), and rather than relying on low-paid adjuncts, lecturers, or graduate students to do its teaching, it employs a 100 percent full-time faculty — the highest rate in the country.

As for affordability, the guide describes the ������ý as “an excellent value,” and places it within the top 1 percent on its “Best for the Money” (overall) and “Best for the Money Without Aid” lists, as well as the top 5 percent for “Best for the Money with Aid.” In its home state of California, the guide reports, “Thomas Aquinas ������ý is considered a high quality college at a great price.”

“������ý Factual’s rankings nicely complement the newly released editions of The Newman Guide, which gave the ������ý top marks for its fidelity to the teachings of the Catholic Church, and the Princeton Review, which praised our academic program,” says Mr. Daly. “Taken together, these guides reflect not only our commitment to the Faith and to excellence in Catholic liberal education, but also to affordability, which is made possible through the tremendous generosity of our benefactors.”