Thomas University
Thomasville, Georgia · Private Nonprofit · 38.3% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 37/100 · Poor Value
Thomas University scores 37 (Poor Value) on CampusROI, a result driven primarily by a catastrophically low completion rate of 27.5% and a very low repayment rate of 49.7%. Only about one in four students who enrolls at Thomas University finishes within normal time -- the most significant risk factor in evaluating this institution. Median 6-year earnings of $38,700 and a 14.5-year payback period further constrain the financial picture. Net price of $18,499 is moderate for a private institution, but most students who pay it will not complete a degree. The strongest programs are healthcare-focused: Registered Nursing (11 graduates, $74,176 year-one, $92,116 year-four, ROI grade B) and Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science (18 graduates, $59,675 year-one, ROI grade B). Outside healthcare, program-level outcomes are weak. Criminal Justice (50 graduates) carries an ROI grade of D with median debt of $45,464 -- the highest debt figure in the program set. Business Administration (29 graduates) earns D grade. The gap between the healthcare programs and everything else at Thomas University is the defining financial feature.
The data raises concerns about Thomas University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score37/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- 6-year graduation rate27.5% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
Thomas University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $11,640/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $11,640/yr |
| Average net price | $18,499/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $73,996 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $49,716 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $38,700 |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,198 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $225 |
| Estimated payback period | 14.5 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 27.5% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 998 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Thomas University is $11,640/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $18,499/year, or roughly $73,996 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $15,640/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $20,059/year.
The median graduate leaves with $21,198 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $225 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $49,716 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.55 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,640 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,546 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,923 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,934 |
| $110,001+ | $20,059 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $15,640 per year at Thomas University -- a meaningful cost for families in this bracket given the institution's 27.5% completion rate. The 30001-48000 bracket pays $19,546. Low-income students face a significant risk of incurring debt without a degree. The 55.4% Pell rate indicates the institution serves many students from this background. Healthcare programs (nursing, clinical lab science) are the clearest path to a positive outcome for low-income students who complete.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $19,923 per year and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $19,934 -- essentially flat across middle-income bands, suggesting minimal aid variation at these income levels. Middle-income families face approximately $80,000 in four-year cost with no meaningful discount from income-based aid. Given the completion rate, middle-income families should carefully evaluate whether Thomas University represents a sound investment compared to regional public alternatives.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning over $110,000 pay $20,059 per year -- very close to all other income brackets, indicating the institution has a near-flat pricing structure with minimal income-based differentiation above the lowest bracket. This flat pricing is unusual; most private nonprofits provide steeper aid reductions for lower-income families. At $38,700 median 6-year earnings and a 14.5-year payback, high-income families have the weakest financial case for paying even this modest net price at Thomas University.
Earnings by Major
Top 6 most popular majors at Thomas University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $61,295 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $54,403 | D |
| Social Work | $40,565 | D |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $59,675 | B |
| Psychology | $43,219 | - |
| Registered Nursing | $92,116 | B |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing (11 graduates) is Thomas University's top-performing program: $74,176 year-one and $92,116 year-four with median debt of $31,188 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.420 (ROI grade B). Despite high median debt relative to peers, the earnings trajectory is solid enough to justify the investment for students who complete. Georgia's healthcare market, including Archbold Medical Center and regional hospital systems, provides local employment. The small graduate volume (11) limits the statistical robustness of these figures.
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science (18 graduates) earns $59,675 year-one with median debt of $23,000 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.385 (ROI grade B). No four-year earnings data is available. The program places graduates in hospital laboratory roles and diagnostic positions -- occupations with stable regional demand in healthcare-dependent communities. This is Thomas University's second-strongest ROI program and benefits from licensure-track placement clarity.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal Justice (50 graduates) is the largest program at Thomas University and among its weakest on ROI: $52,991 year-one, $61,295 year-four, ROI grade D, with median debt of $45,464 -- exceptionally high relative to earnings. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.858 is driven primarily by the large debt figure rather than low earnings, suggesting graduates are borrowing significantly more than the institutional median. Students interested in criminal justice should compare debt loading carefully; $45,464 in median debt is a substantial burden on a $52,991 starting salary.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (29 graduates) earns $36,436 year-one and $54,403 year-four with median debt of $26,125 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.717 (ROI grade D). Year-one earnings of under $37,000 against $26,125 in median debt produce a tight initial financial position. The four-year growth to $54,403 is meaningful but requires four to five years post-graduation to materialize. Business administration at Thomas University is appropriate for students with strong career intentions in the regional market who can minimize debt.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 35.6% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 49.7% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 42.9% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 51.1% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 38.3% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 490-600 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 500-620 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 20-24 |
| Enrollment | 998 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 55.4% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $5,844 |
At 38.3% admission rate, Thomas University is moderately selective for an institution with this completion rate profile. SAT 490-600 Math and 500-620 Reading and ACT 20-24 reflect a broad academic preparation range. The admission rate is not the relevant risk factor here -- completion is. Prospective students should research retention services, student-to-faculty ratios, and academic support resources before enrolling, given that fewer than three in ten students finish.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Thomas University's Scorecard peer schools include Agnes Scott College, Clark Atlanta University, Geneva College, Our Lady of the Lake University, and Peirce College. Thomas University's 27.5% completion rate and 49.7% repayment rate place it in the bottom tier among all institutions in this dataset. The completion rate is lower than all named peers. Repayment at 49.7% means more than half of borrowers are not actively reducing their debt at last measurement. The institution's healthcare programs (nursing, clinical lab science) are competitive with peer program offerings, but institutional-level outcomes are constrained by the non-completion problem.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas University (this school) | 37 | $18,499 | $49,716 |
| Agnes Scott College | 45 | $24,754 | $56,274 |
| Geneva College | 38 | $25,890 | $50,004 |
| Peirce College | 38 | $12,148 | $50,660 |
| Our Lady of the Lake University | 35 | $16,442 | $48,675 |
| Clark Atlanta University | 14 | $37,702 | $42,712 |
Who Thrives Here
Thomas University enrolls 998 students with a 38.3% admission rate -- selectivity is moderate despite the institution's challenges. SAT mid-ranges are 490-600 Math and 500-620 Reading; ACT 20-24. Pell rate of 55.4% is among the highest in this dataset, indicating that the majority of students come from low-income backgrounds. That demographic reality makes the 27.5% completion rate particularly concerning: most students are from economically constrained backgrounds, and low completion rates mean many will exit with debt but no credential. Thomas University is in Thomasville, a small city in south Georgia, which limits local labor market depth for non-healthcare graduates.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Thomas University. With a net cost of $18,499 per year and median graduate earnings of only $49,716 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 14.5 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 27.5% graduation rate and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $21,198 against $49,716 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.