Meredith vs. Jefferson

Comparable Facts

Compare Meredith College in Raleigh, NC with Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Thomas Jefferson University is larger than Meredith based on total student enrollment (8,238 students vs. 1,465 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Meredith College is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Thomas Jefferson University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Meredith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Jefferson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Meredith College 10:1; Thomas Jefferson University 12:1.

Meredith vs. Jefferson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Meredith or Jefferson? 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 Meredith College than Jefferson ($24,323 vs. $29,325).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Meredith College are 16.1% lower than at Thomas Jefferson University ($13,280 vs. $15,834).
• Thomas Jefferson University is 4.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Meredith (about $1,875 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $45,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at Jefferson than at Meredith College (about $1,875 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $45,630.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Meredith College as at Thomas Jefferson University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 5.7% larger than aid received by Meredith College students ($35,007 vs. $33,116).

Meredith vs. Jefferson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Meredith or Jefferson? 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 Jefferson and Meredith.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Thomas Jefferson University (1250) is 30 points higher than at Meredith (1220).
• Incoming Jefferson students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at Meredith).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Meredith College 1098/1348; Thomas Jefferson University 1160/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Meredith College 23/29; Thomas Jefferson University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Meredith - Test optional; Jefferson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Meredith Feb 15, 2027; Jefferson Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Jefferson students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Meredith (3.52).
• Jefferson has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than Meredith (74.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Meredith vs. 12.1% at Jefferson.

Meredith vs. Jefferson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Meredith and Jefferson? 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).

• Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of about $82,900 more per year than Meredith graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Jefferson University graduates have a $13,500 lower median loan debt than Meredith graduates ($12,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Jefferson graduates have an estimated $139 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Meredith graduates ($129 vs. $268).
• More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Meredith students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 65%)

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.