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Head-to-head comparison

Georgia Southwestern State University vs Thomas University: which has better ROI?

Public, Americus GA · vs · Private nonprofit, Thomasville GA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Americus, GA

Georgia Southwestern State University

Net price / year
$12,019
Earnings, 10 years
$48,757
Payback
121.1 yrs

Option B Thomasville, GA

Thomas University

Net price / year
$18,499
Earnings, 10 years
$49,716
Payback
54.6 yrs
The verdict

Thomas University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $73,996 in 54.6 years versus 121.1 years at Georgia Southwestern State University, on median earnings of $49,716 vs $48,757 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureGeorgia Southwestern State UniversityThomas University
Net price / yr$12,019$18,499
Total net cost$48,076$73,996
Median earnings, 10 yrs$48,757$49,716
Median debt$18,851$21,198
Payback121.1 yrs54.6 yrs
20-year net return-$40,136-$46,876

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

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Georgia Southwestern State University or Thomas University?

Georgia Southwestern State University, at $12,019 a year after aid versus $18,499 — a gap of $6,480 a year, or $25,920 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

The short answer

Do Georgia Southwestern State University or Thomas University graduates earn more?

Thomas University graduates report a median $49,716 ten years after entry, $959 more than the $48,757 at Georgia Southwestern State 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.

The short answer

Which leaves students with less debt, Georgia Southwestern State University or Thomas University?

Georgia Southwestern State University: its completers carry a median $18,851 in federal loans versus $21,198 at Thomas University, a difference of $2,347. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

41% of students finish at Georgia Southwestern State University, against 28% at Thomas 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.

Georgia Southwestern State University vs Thomas University: frequently asked questions

Is Georgia Southwestern State University or Thomas University a better value?
Thomas University. It clears its $73,996 net cost in about 54.6 years versus 121.1 years at Georgia Southwestern State University, on median earnings of $49,716 vs $48,757 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Georgia Southwestern State University or Thomas University?
Georgia Southwestern State University: $12,019/yr net price after aid versus $18,499/yr at Thomas University — a difference of $6,480 a year, or about $25,920 over four years.
Do Georgia Southwestern State University or Thomas University graduates earn more?
Thomas University graduates earn a median $49,716 ten years after entry, versus $48,757 at Georgia Southwestern State University — a $959 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.