Thomas College vs. Empire State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Thomas College in Waterville, ME with Empire State University in Saratoga Springs, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Empire State University is larger than Thomas College based on total student enrollment (10,469 students vs. 1,635 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas College is located in Waterville, ME (Rural Fringe setting); Empire State University is in Saratoga Springs, NY (Small Suburban setting).
• Thomas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Empire State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas College 20:1; Empire State University 17:1.

Thomas College vs. Empire State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Thomas College or Empire State 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 Empire State University than Thomas College ($11,659 vs. $19,126).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas College are 1% lower than at Empire State University ($14,090 vs. $14,230).
• Thomas College is 316.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Empire State University (about $24,176 more per year; $31,824.00 vs. $7,648.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.3% higher at Thomas College than at Empire State University (about $14,266 more per year; $31,824.00 vs. $17,558.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas College than at Empire State University (98% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas College students is 242.3% larger than aid received by Empire State University students ($28,212 vs. $8,243).

Thomas College vs. Empire State University Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Thomas College - Test-free; Empire State University - Not reported.

Thomas College vs. Empire State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Thomas College and Empire State 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 Empire State University's (19%).
• Graduates from Empire State University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Thomas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Empire State University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Thomas College graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Empire State University graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Thomas College graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More Thomas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Empire State University students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 44%)

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.