Thomas College
Thomas College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Thomas College at a Glance
Thomas College is a private college in Waterville, Maine, United States. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. As of fall 2019 Thomas College enrolled 1,949 students; 1,819 were undergraduate students and 130 were graduate students.
1894
132 years old
$35M
$35.4 million (2025)
1,949
1,819 undergrad · 130 grad
80
Identity
Is Thomas College Worth It?
At a value score of 31/100, Thomas College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $44,991 — 16% below average — while paying $18,885/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 53% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 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 96% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $24,250 representing 54% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Thomas College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Thomas College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #27 of 94 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 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #2 | Albizu University-San Juan | 73 | $9,732 | $41,544 |
| #3 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #4 | University of Fort Lauderdale | 48 | $19,965 | $38,062 |
| #5 | Monmouth College | 46 | $17,133 | $51,110 |
| #6 | Martin Luther College | 46 | $18,463 | $47,491 |
| #27 | Thomas College | 31 | $18,885 | $44,991 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Thomas College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Thomas College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Thomas College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,885/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
Similar Colleges in ME
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Waterville, ME
- Student Body
- 647 students
- Admission Rate
- 96%
- Graduation Rate
- 53%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,885
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $44,991
- Median Student Debt
- $24,250