SCSU vs. Thomas College

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT with Thomas College in Waterville, ME on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Connecticut State University is larger than Thomas College based on total student enrollment (9,377 students vs. 1,635 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Connecticut State University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Thomas College is in Waterville, ME (Rural Fringe setting).
• Southern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Connecticut State University 11:1; Thomas College 20:1.

SCSU vs. Thomas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCSU 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 Thomas College than SCSU ($19,126 vs. $19,827).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas College are 5.7% lower than at Southern Connecticut State University ($14,090 vs. $14,938).
• Thomas College is 136.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCSU (about $18,386 more per year; $31,824.00 vs. $13,438.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.2% higher at Thomas College than at Southern Connecticut State University (about $4,446 more per year; $31,824.00 vs. $27,378.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas College than at Southern Connecticut State University (98% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas College students is 182.8% larger than aid received by Southern Connecticut State University students ($28,212 vs. $9,977).

SCSU vs. Thomas College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCSU 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 SCSU.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCSU - Test-free; Thomas College - Test-free.
• Thomas College has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than SCSU (91.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at SCSU vs. 16.1% at Thomas College.

SCSU vs. Thomas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCSU 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 Southern Connecticut State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than Thomas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,800 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Connecticut State University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Thomas College graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SCSU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Thomas College graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More Thomas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCSU students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 62%)

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.