Thomas University vs. AU

Deciding between Thomas University and Anderson University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Thomas University
Anderson University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Thomas University Thomasville, GA
  • AU Anderson, SC
  • Setting
  • Thomas University Distant Town
  • AU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Thomas University 1,471
  • AU 4,710
  • Type
  • Thomas University Private 4 Year
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Thomas University #638
  • AU #662
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Thomas University -
  • AU Baptist
  • Status
  • Thomas University Non-profit
  • AU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Thomas University
  • AU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Thomas University $11,640
  • AU $34,970
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Thomas University $11,640
  • AU $34,970
  • Room & Board
  • Thomas University $8,140
  • AU $12,720
  • Average Net Price
  • Thomas University $17,823
  • AU $24,434
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Thomas University $5,256
  • AU $25,969
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Thomas University 100%
  • AU 98%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Thomas University 517
  • AU 4,548
  • Admitted
  • Thomas University 198
  • AU 2,488
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Thomas University 38.3% Open
  • AU 54.7%
  • Enrolled
  • Thomas University 70.7% Open
  • AU 32.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Thomas University 1110
  • AU 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • Thomas University 22
  • AU 25
  • Average High School GPA
  • Thomas University -
  • AU 3.72
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Thomas University -
  • AU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Thomas University Easy
  • AU Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • Thomas University High
  • AU Low
  • ACT Range
  • Thomas University 20/24
  • AU 22/29
  • SAT Range
  • Thomas University 990/1220
  • AU 1100/1280
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Thomas University Open admission
  • AU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Thomas University
  • AU
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Thomas University 12:1
  • AU 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Thomas University
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (24%)
    • Health Professions (21%)
    • Education (18%)
    • Human Services (9%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • AU
    • Education (37%)
    • Business (36%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Psychology (4%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Thomas University 8%
  • AU 48%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Thomas University $38,000
  • AU $37,500
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Thomas University 36%
  • AU 60%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Thomas University $20,620
  • AU $26,862
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Thomas University $213
  • AU $277
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Thomas University 35%
  • AU 42%
  • % Women
  • Thomas University 65%
  • AU 58%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Thomas University High
  • AU Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Thomas University No
  • AU No
  • % White
  • Thomas University 47%
  • AU 83%
  • % Asian
  • Thomas University 1%
  • AU 1%
  • % Black
  • Thomas University 24%
  • AU 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • Thomas University 5%
  • AU 3%
  • % Native American
  • Thomas University 0%
  • AU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Thomas University 0%
  • AU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Thomas University 0%
  • AU 2%
  • % International
  • Thomas University 5%
  • AU 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Thomas University 19%
  • AU 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Thomas University 76%
  • AU 69%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Thomas University 24%
  • AU 30%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Thomas University Yes
  • AU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Thomas University No
  • AU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Thomas University No
  • AU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Thomas University Yes
  • AU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Thomas University No
  • AU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Thomas University in Thomasville, GA with Anderson University in Anderson, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Anderson University is larger than Thomas University based on total student enrollment (4,710 students vs. 1,471 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Thomas University is located in Thomasville, GA (Distant Town setting); Anderson University is in Anderson, SC (Small City setting).
  • Thomas University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Anderson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas University 12:1; Anderson University 13:1.

Thomas University vs. AU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Thomas University or AU? 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 University than AU ($17,823 vs. $24,434).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas University are 36% lower than at Anderson University ($8,140 vs. $12,720).
  • Anderson University is 200.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas University (about $23,330 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $11,640.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 200.4% higher at AU than at Thomas University (about $23,330 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $11,640.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas University than at Anderson University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 394.1% larger than aid received by Thomas University students ($25,969 vs. $5,256).

Thomas University vs. AU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Thomas University or AU? 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 AU and Thomas University.

  • Thomas University reports an open admissions policy.
  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Anderson University (1190) is 80 points higher than at Thomas University (1110).
  • Incoming AU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at Thomas University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas University 990/1220; Anderson University 1100/1280.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Thomas University 20/24; Anderson University 22/29.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Thomas University - Open admission; AU - Test optional.
  • AU has a higher acceptance rate (54.7%) than Thomas University (38.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 70.7% at Thomas University vs. 32.5% at AU.

Thomas University vs. AU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Thomas University and AU? 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).

  • Anderson University's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Thomas University's (8%).
  • Graduates from Thomas University earn a median of about $500 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,000 vs. $37,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas University graduates have a $6,242 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($20,620 vs. $26,862).
  • Among borrowers, Thomas University graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($213 vs. $277).
  • More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Thomas University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 36%)

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.