Thomas College vs. Lesley University

Comparable Facts

Compare Thomas College in Waterville, ME with Lesley University in Cambridge, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lesley University is larger than Thomas College based on total student enrollment (2,557 students vs. 1,635 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas College is located in Waterville, ME (Rural Fringe setting); Lesley University is in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Thomas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lesley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas College 20:1; Lesley University 10:1.

Thomas College vs. Lesley University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Thomas College or Lesley 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 Thomas College than Lesley University ($19,126 vs. $32,587).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas College are 29.3% lower than at Lesley University ($14,090 vs. $19,920).
• Lesley University is 7.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Thomas College (about $2,432 more per year; $34,256.00 vs. $31,824.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.6% higher at Lesley University than at Thomas College (about $2,432 more per year; $34,256.00 vs. $31,824.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lesley University than at Thomas College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas College students is 47.2% larger than aid received by Lesley University students ($28,212 vs. $19,167).

Thomas College vs. Lesley University Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Thomas College - Test-free; Lesley University - Test-free.
• Lesley University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Thomas College (96.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Thomas College vs. 7.9% at Lesley University.

Thomas College vs. Lesley University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Thomas College and Lesley 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).

• Lesley University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Thomas College's (45%).
• Graduates from Thomas College earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Lesley University graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,000 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lesley University graduates have a $2,680 lower median loan debt than Thomas College graduates ($24,320 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lesley University graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Thomas College graduates ($251 vs. $279).
• More Thomas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lesley University students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 63%)

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.