Degree Dividend
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Thomas College vs Beal University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Waterville ME · vs · Private for-profit, Bangor ME

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Thomas College comes closer — median earnings $44,991 against a $75,540 total, vs $35,639 at Beal University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureThomas CollegeBeal University
Net price / yr$18,885$40,109
Total net cost$75,540$80,218
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,991$35,639
Median debt$24,250$19,500
Payback
20-year net return-$142,920-$334,638

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Thomas College or Beal University?

Thomas College, at $18,885 a year after aid versus $40,109 — a gap of $21,224 a year, or $4,678 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Thomas College or Beal University graduates earn more?

Thomas College graduates report a median $44,991 ten years after entry, $9,352 more than the $35,639 at Beal University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Thomas College or Beal University?

Beal University: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $24,250 at Thomas College, a difference of $4,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

54% of students finish at Thomas College, against 36% at Beal University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Thomas College vs Beal University: frequently asked questions

Is Thomas College or Beal University a better value?
Thomas College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Thomas College or Beal University?
Thomas College: $18,885/yr net price after aid versus $40,109/yr at Beal University — a difference of $21,224 a year, or about $4,678 over four years.
Do Thomas College or Beal University graduates earn more?
Thomas College graduates earn a median $44,991 ten years after entry, versus $35,639 at Beal University — a $9,352 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.