Thomas College vs. Claflin University

Comparable Facts

Compare Thomas College in Waterville, ME with Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Claflin University is larger than Thomas College based on total student enrollment (1,852 students vs. 1,635 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas College is located in Waterville, ME (Rural Fringe setting); Claflin University is in Orangeburg, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Thomas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Claflin University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas College 20:1; Claflin University 13:1.

Thomas College vs. Claflin University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Thomas College or Claflin University? 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 Claflin University than Thomas College ($17,272 vs. $19,126).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Claflin University are 32.7% lower than at Thomas College ($9,480 vs. $14,090).
• Thomas College is 74.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Claflin University (about $13,542 more per year; $31,824.00 vs. $18,282.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.1% higher at Thomas College than at Claflin University (about $13,542 more per year; $31,824.00 vs. $18,282.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Thomas College as at Claflin University (98% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas College students is 70% larger than aid received by Claflin University students ($28,212 vs. $16,596).

Thomas College vs. Claflin University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Thomas College or Claflin University? 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 Claflin University and Thomas College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsClaflin University 840/1040.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsClaflin University 16/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Thomas College - Test-free; Claflin University - Test-free.
• Thomas College has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than Claflin University (64.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Thomas College vs. 7.3% at Claflin University.

Thomas College vs. Claflin University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Thomas College and Claflin University? 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 Claflin University's (40%).
• Graduates from Thomas College earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than Claflin University graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,000 vs. $30,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas College graduates have a $5,184 lower median loan debt than Claflin University graduates ($27,000 vs. $32,184).
• Among borrowers, Thomas College graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Claflin University graduates ($279 vs. $332).
• More Thomas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Claflin University students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 25%)

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.