Thomas College vs College of the Atlantic: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Thomas College comes closer — median earnings $44,991 against a $75,540 total, vs $40,264 at College of the Atlantic. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Thomas College | College of the Atlantic |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,885 | $25,184 |
| Total net cost | $75,540 | $100,736 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $44,991 | $40,264 |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $25,050 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$142,920 | -$262,656 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Thomas College or College of the Atlantic?
Thomas College, at $18,885 a year after aid versus $25,184 — a gap of $6,299 a year, or $25,196 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 College of the Atlantic graduates earn more?
Thomas College graduates report a median $44,991 ten years after entry, $4,727 more than the $40,264 at College of the Atlantic. 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 College of the Atlantic?
Thomas College: its completers carry a median $24,250 in federal loans versus $25,050 at College of the Atlantic, a difference of $800. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
68% of students finish at College of the Atlantic, against 54% at Thomas College. 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.