DSC vs. Thomas University

Comparable Facts

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

Dalton State College is larger than Thomas University based on total student enrollment (5,135 students vs. 1,471 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dalton State College is located in Dalton, GA (Small City setting); Thomas University is in Thomasville, GA (Distant Town setting).
• Dalton State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dalton State College 21:1; Thomas University 12:1.

DSC vs. Thomas University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DSC or Thomas 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 Dalton State College than Thomas University ($5,625 vs. $17,823).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas University are 21.9% lower than at Dalton State College ($8,140 vs. $10,419).
• Thomas University is 248.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than DSC (about $8,304 more per year; $11,640.00 vs. $3,336.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.2% higher at Thomas University than at Dalton State College (about $984 more per year; $11,640.00 vs. $10,656.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas University than at Dalton State College (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dalton State College students is 26.6% larger than aid received by Thomas University students ($6,654 vs. $5,256).

DSC vs. Thomas University Admissions comparison

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

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsThomas University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsThomas University 20/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DSC - Open admission; Thomas University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: DSC Jul 1, 2027.

DSC vs. Thomas University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DSC and Thomas 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).

• Dalton State College's six-year graduation rate (16%) is higher than Thomas University's (8%).
• Graduates from Thomas University earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than DSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,000 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dalton State College graduates have a $5,733 lower median loan debt than Thomas University graduates ($14,887 vs. $20,620).
• Among borrowers, DSC graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Thomas University graduates ($153 vs. $213).
• More DSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Thomas University students, three years after graduation. (42% 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.