Thomas College vs. Shaw University

Comparable Facts

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

Thomas College is larger than Shaw University based on total student enrollment (1,635 students vs. 964 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas College is located in Waterville, ME (Rural Fringe setting); Shaw University is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• Thomas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shaw University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas College 20:1; Shaw University 14:1.

Thomas College vs. Shaw University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Thomas College or Shaw 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 Shaw University than Thomas College ($16,445 vs. $19,126).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 34.6% lower than at Thomas College ($9,210 vs. $14,090).
• Thomas College is 81.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shaw University (about $14,286 more per year; $31,824.00 vs. $17,538.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.5% higher at Thomas College than at Shaw University (about $14,286 more per year; $31,824.00 vs. $17,538.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas College than at Shaw University (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas College students is 95.7% larger than aid received by Shaw University students ($28,212 vs. $14,417).

Thomas College vs. Shaw University Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Thomas College - Test-free; Shaw University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Shaw University Jul 30, 2027.
• Thomas College has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than Shaw University (80.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Thomas College vs. 4.1% at Shaw University.

Thomas College vs. Shaw University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Thomas College and Shaw 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 Shaw University's (27%).
• Graduates from Thomas College earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than Shaw University graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,000 vs. $29,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas College graduates have a $11,000 lower median loan debt than Shaw University graduates ($27,000 vs. $38,000).
• Among borrowers, Thomas College graduates have an estimated $113 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shaw University graduates ($279 vs. $392).
• More Thomas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 15%)

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.