Manchester University vs. Thomas College

Comparable Facts

Compare Manchester University in North Manchester, IN with Thomas College in Waterville, ME on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Thomas College is larger than Manchester University based on total student enrollment (1,635 students vs. 1,276 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Manchester University is located in North Manchester, IN (Distant Town setting); Thomas College is in Waterville, ME (Rural Fringe setting).
• Manchester University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Manchester University 12:1; Thomas College 20:1.

Manchester University vs. Thomas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Manchester University or Thomas College? 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 College than Manchester University ($19,126 vs. $19,425).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Manchester University are 10.4% lower than at Thomas College ($12,625 vs. $14,090).
• Manchester University is 16.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas College (about $5,311 more per year; $37,135.00 vs. $31,824.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.7% higher at Manchester University than at Thomas College (about $5,311 more per year; $37,135.00 vs. $31,824.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Manchester University than at Thomas College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Manchester University students is 8.6% larger than aid received by Thomas College students ($30,635 vs. $28,212).

Manchester University vs. Thomas College Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Manchester University - Test-free; Thomas College - Test-free.
• Thomas College has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than Manchester University (71.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at Manchester University vs. 16.1% at Thomas College.

Manchester University vs. Thomas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Manchester University and Thomas College? 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).

• Manchester University's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Thomas College's (45%).
• Graduates from Manchester University earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than Thomas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,100 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas College and Manchester University graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Thomas College and Manchester University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Manchester University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Thomas College students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 67%)

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.