Thomas University — ROI, Cost & Payback
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.)
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.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $18,499/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $73,996 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $49,716 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $1,356/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $21,198 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 54.6 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$46,876 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Thomas University's own numbers. Net price $18,499 × 4 years = $73,996 total. Median earnings $49,716 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $1,356 a year of premium. $73,996 ÷ $1,356 = 54.6 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$46,876. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Thomas University students graduate with?
A median $21,198 in federal loans among completers, or 43% of the $49,716 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Thomas University students graduate?
28% finish their degree — 72% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $73,996 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $264,271 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Thomas University expensive compared with other Georgia colleges?
Its $18,499 net price runs $2,824 above the $15,675 median across the 100 Georgia colleges we profile, or $11,296 more across the full degree.