Head-to-head comparison
University of West Georgia vs Thomas University: which has better ROI?
Option A Carrollton, GA
University of West Georgia
- Net price / year
- $12,786
- Earnings, 10 years
- $49,587
- Payback
- 41.7 yrs
Option B Thomasville, GA
Thomas University
- Net price / year
- $18,499
- Earnings, 10 years
- $49,716
- Payback
- 54.6 yrs
University of West Georgia has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $51,144 in 41.7 years versus 54.6 years at Thomas University, on median earnings of $49,587 vs $49,716 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of West Georgia | Thomas University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,786 | $18,499 |
| Total net cost | $51,144 | $73,996 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,587 | $49,716 |
| Median debt | $23,970 | $21,198 |
| Payback | 41.7 yrs | 54.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$26,604 | -$46,876 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of West Georgia or Thomas University?
University of West Georgia, at $12,786 a year after aid versus $18,499 — a gap of $5,713 a year, or $22,852 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 University of West Georgia or Thomas University graduates earn more?
Thomas University graduates report a median $49,716 ten years after entry, $129 more than the $49,587 at University of West Georgia. 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, University of West Georgia or Thomas University?
Thomas University: its completers carry a median $21,198 in federal loans versus $23,970 at University of West Georgia, a difference of $2,772. 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?
43% of students finish at University of West Georgia, 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.