Thomas College vs. RIC

Comparable Facts

Compare Thomas College in Waterville, ME with Rhode Island College in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rhode Island College is larger than Thomas College based on total student enrollment (6,155 students vs. 1,635 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas College is located in Waterville, ME (Rural Fringe setting); Rhode Island College is in Providence, RI (Large Suburban setting).
• Thomas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rhode Island College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas College 20:1; Rhode Island College 15:1.

Thomas College vs. RIC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Thomas College or RIC? 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 Rhode Island College than Thomas College ($10,346 vs. $19,126).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island College are 4.8% lower than at Thomas College ($13,414 vs. $14,090).
• Thomas College is 181.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than RIC (about $20,524 more per year; $31,824.00 vs. $11,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.6% higher at Thomas College than at Rhode Island College (about $4,525 more per year; $31,824.00 vs. $27,299.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas College than at Rhode Island College (98% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas College students is 320.7% larger than aid received by Rhode Island College students ($28,212 vs. $6,706).

Thomas College vs. RIC Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsRhode Island College 870/1120.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Thomas College - Test-free; RIC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RIC Mar 15, 2027.
• Thomas College has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than RIC (91.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Thomas College vs. 23.1% at RIC.

Thomas College vs. RIC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Thomas College and RIC? 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 Rhode Island College's (44%).
• Graduates from Rhode Island College 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, Rhode Island College graduates have a $5,800 lower median loan debt than Thomas College graduates ($21,200 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, RIC graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Thomas College graduates ($219 vs. $279).
• More Thomas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIC students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 59%)

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.