Thomas College vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University

Comparable Facts

Compare Thomas College in Waterville, ME with Lenoir Rhyne University in Hickory, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lenoir Rhyne University is larger than Thomas College based on total student enrollment (2,256 students vs. 1,635 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas College is located in Waterville, ME (Rural Fringe setting); Lenoir Rhyne University is in Hickory, NC (Small City setting).
• Thomas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lenoir Rhyne University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas College 20:1; Lenoir Rhyne University 15:1.

Thomas College vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Thomas College or Lenoir-Rhyne 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 Thomas College than Lenoir-Rhyne University ($19,126 vs. $21,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lenoir Rhyne University are 4.9% lower than at Thomas College ($13,400 vs. $14,090).
• Lenoir Rhyne University is 0.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas College (about $76 more per year; $31,900.00 vs. $31,824.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at Lenoir-Rhyne University than at Thomas College (about $76 more per year; $31,900.00 vs. $31,824.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lenoir Rhyne University than at Thomas College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas College students is 20.2% larger than aid received by Lenoir Rhyne University students ($28,212 vs. $23,467).

Thomas College vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Thomas College or Lenoir-Rhyne 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 Lenoir-Rhyne University and Thomas College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Thomas College - Test-free; Lenoir-Rhyne University - Test-free.
• Thomas College has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than Lenoir-Rhyne University (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Thomas College vs. 11% at Lenoir-Rhyne University.

Thomas College vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Thomas College and Lenoir-Rhyne 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).

• Lenoir Rhyne University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Thomas College's (45%).
• Graduates from Lenoir Rhyne University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Thomas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lenoir Rhyne University and Thomas College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Lenoir Rhyne University and Thomas College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Thomas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lenoir-Rhyne University students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 66%)

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.