Thomas College vs. Gustavus Adolphus College

Comparable Facts

Compare Thomas College in Waterville, ME with Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Gustavus Adolphus College is larger than Thomas College based on total student enrollment (1,906 students vs. 1,635 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas College is located in Waterville, ME (Rural Fringe setting); Gustavus Adolphus College is in Saint Peter, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Thomas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Gustavus Adolphus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas College 20:1; Gustavus Adolphus College 12:1.

Thomas College vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Thomas College or Gustavus Adolphus 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 Gustavus Adolphus College ($19,126 vs. $26,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gustavus Adolphus College are 16.2% lower than at Thomas College ($11,804 vs. $14,090).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is 76.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas College (about $24,252 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $31,824.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.2% higher at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Thomas College (about $24,252 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $31,824.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Thomas College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gustavus Adolphus College students is 46.9% larger than aid received by Thomas College students ($41,450 vs. $28,212).

Thomas College vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Thomas College or Gustavus Adolphus 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 Gustavus Adolphus College and Thomas College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Thomas College - Test-free; Gustavus Adolphus College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Gustavus Adolphus College Apr 1, 2027.
• Thomas College has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than Gustavus Adolphus College (61%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Thomas College vs. 15.2% at Gustavus Adolphus College.

Thomas College vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Thomas College and Gustavus Adolphus 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).

• Gustavus Adolphus College's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Thomas College's (45%).
• Graduates from Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of about $15,300 more per year than Thomas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gustavus Adolphus College and Thomas College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Gustavus Adolphus College and Thomas College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Gustavus Adolphus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Thomas College students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 67%)

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.