Thomas College vs. Benedict College

Comparable Facts

Compare Thomas College in Waterville, ME with Benedict College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Benedict College is larger than Thomas College based on total student enrollment (1,691 students vs. 1,635 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas College is located in Waterville, ME (Rural Fringe setting); Benedict College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Thomas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Benedict College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas College 20:1; Benedict College 13:1.

Thomas College vs. Benedict College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Thomas College or Benedict 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 Benedict College than Thomas College ($18,665 vs. $19,126).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Benedict College are 49.3% lower than at Thomas College ($7,146 vs. $14,090).
• Thomas College is 82.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Benedict College (about $14,384 more per year; $31,824.00 vs. $17,440.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.5% higher at Thomas College than at Benedict College (about $14,384 more per year; $31,824.00 vs. $17,440.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas College than at Benedict College (98% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas College students is 111.6% larger than aid received by Benedict College students ($28,212 vs. $13,335).

Thomas College vs. Benedict College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Thomas College or Benedict 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 Benedict College and Thomas College.

• Benedict College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBenedict College 820/1010.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBenedict College 14/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Thomas College - Test-free; Benedict College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Benedict College Feb 15, 2027.
• Thomas College has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than Benedict College (95.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Thomas College vs. 8% at Benedict College.

Thomas College vs. Benedict College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Thomas College and Benedict 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).

• Thomas College's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Benedict College's (26%).
• Graduates from Thomas College earn a median of about $16,000 more per year than Benedict College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,000 vs. $25,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas College graduates have a $15,898 lower median loan debt than Benedict College graduates ($27,000 vs. $42,898).
• Among borrowers, Thomas College graduates have an estimated $164 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Benedict College graduates ($279 vs. $443).
• More Thomas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Benedict College students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 13%)

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.