Bethune-Cookman vs. Thomas College

Comparable Facts

Compare Bethune Cookman University in Daytona Beach, FL with Thomas College in Waterville, ME on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bethune Cookman University is larger than Thomas College based on total student enrollment (2,853 students vs. 1,635 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bethune Cookman University is located in Daytona Beach, FL (Small City setting); Thomas College is in Waterville, ME (Rural Fringe setting).
• Bethune Cookman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bethune Cookman University 17:1; Thomas College 20:1.

Bethune-Cookman vs. Thomas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bethune-Cookman or Thomas College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bethune Cookman University than Thomas College ($12,476 vs. $19,126).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethune Cookman University are 26.2% lower than at Thomas College ($10,396 vs. $14,090).
• Thomas College is 115.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bethune-Cookman (about $17,030 more per year; $31,824.00 vs. $14,794.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 115.1% higher at Thomas College than at Bethune Cookman University (about $17,030 more per year; $31,824.00 vs. $14,794.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Bethune Cookman University as at Thomas College (98% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas College students is 64.2% larger than aid received by Bethune Cookman University students ($28,212 vs. $17,181).

Bethune-Cookman vs. Thomas College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bethune-Cookman or Thomas College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Thomas College and Bethune-Cookman.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethune Cookman University 830/990.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bethune-Cookman - Test optional; Thomas College - Test-free.
• Thomas College has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than Bethune-Cookman (88.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at Bethune-Cookman vs. 16.1% at Thomas College.

Bethune-Cookman vs. Thomas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bethune-Cookman and Thomas College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Thomas College's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Bethune Cookman University's (37%).
• Graduates from Thomas College earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than Bethune-Cookman graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,000 vs. $31,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas College graduates have a $8,985 lower median loan debt than Bethune-Cookman graduates ($27,000 vs. $35,985).
• Among borrowers, Thomas College graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethune-Cookman graduates ($279 vs. $372).
• More Thomas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethune-Cookman students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 20%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.