Thomas College vs. Berklee School of Music

Comparable Facts

Compare Thomas College in Waterville, ME with Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Berklee College of Music is larger than Thomas College based on total student enrollment (8,369 students vs. 1,635 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas College is located in Waterville, ME (Rural Fringe setting); Berklee College of Music is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• Thomas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Berklee College of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas College 20:1; Berklee College of Music 9:1.

Thomas College vs. Berklee School of Music Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Thomas College or Berklee School of Music? 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 Berklee School of Music ($19,126 vs. $49,797).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas College are 29.3% lower than at Berklee College of Music ($14,090 vs. $19,930).
• Berklee College of Music is 63.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas College (about $20,216 more per year; $52,040.00 vs. $31,824.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.5% higher at Berklee School of Music than at Thomas College (about $20,216 more per year; $52,040.00 vs. $31,824.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas College than at Berklee College of Music (98% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas College students is 20.8% larger than aid received by Berklee College of Music students ($28,212 vs. $23,346).

Thomas College vs. Berklee School of Music Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Thomas College or Berklee School of Music? 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 Berklee School of Music and Thomas College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Thomas College - Test-free; Berklee School of Music - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Berklee School of Music Jan 15, 2027.
• Thomas College has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than Berklee School of Music (43.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Thomas College vs. 45.5% at Berklee School of Music.

Thomas College vs. Berklee School of Music Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Thomas College and Berklee School of Music? 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).

• Berklee College of Music's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Thomas College's (45%).
• Graduates from Thomas College earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than Berklee School of Music graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,000 vs. $36,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Berklee College of Music graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Thomas College graduates ($25,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Berklee School of Music graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Thomas College graduates ($261 vs. $279).
• More Thomas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Berklee School of Music students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 66%)

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.