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Thomas University — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Thomasville, GA · 998 students

The verdict

Thomas University charges a net price of $18,499/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $73,996. Graduates earn a median $49,716 ten years after entry, $1,356/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 54.6 years — a 20-year net return of $-46,876, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Thomas University's 54.6-year payback ranks #1,199 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 6% of them, and #22 of 100 in Georgia.

Better ROI than 6% of US colleges#1,199 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$18,499
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$49,716
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
54.6 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
38%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Thomas University: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$18,499/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$73,996our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$49,716Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$1,356/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$21,198Scorecard, 2026
Payback54.6 yrsour math
20-year net return$-46,876our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

How we compute this. Payback = total net cost ÷ annual earnings premium, where the premium is median earnings 10 years after entry minus the $48,360 baseline (BLS 2024 median for a high-school-diploma worker 25+). Total net cost = net price × 4 years. We do not discount future dollars. The institution-wide earnings figure blends every major — a specific program's payback can be far better or worse. Full method on the methodology page.

Thomas University: frequently asked questions

Is Thomas University worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Thomas University charges $18,499/yr after aid ($73,996 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $49,716 ten years out — $1,356/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 54.6 years and returns $-46,876 net over 20 years, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone.
How long does a Thomas University degree take to pay off?
About 54.6 years. We divide the $73,996 four-year net cost by the $1,356/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Thomas University cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $18,499/yr — about $73,996 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Thomas University compare to other Georgia colleges?
It ranks #22 of 100 Georgia colleges we track by payback. Its $49,716 median earnings beat the national median of $43,552, and its $18,499 net price is above the national median of $16,906.