Thiel College: 82.3% Acceptance Rate

82.3%Acceptance

$36,864Tuition

773Students

44%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$49,714Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test BlindNCAA Division IIIStudy AbroadData: 2023-24Evangelical Lutheran

About Thiel College

Thiel College builds leaders through hands-on learning in small classes across western Pennsylvania's rolling hills. This Lutheran liberal arts college enrolls 773 students in a tight-knit community where professors know every name. The school emphasizes practical experience and character development rooted in its faith tradition. With a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, classes feel more like seminars than lectures. The Tomcats compete in 21 varsity sports as a NCAA Division III school, and 429 students participate in athletics without athletic scholarships.

Students pay an average net price of $22,746 after financial aid, making this private education surprisingly affordable. Graduates earn a median of $49,714 ten years after graduation, while carrying typical debt of $27,000. The monthly loan payment of $286 represents a manageable burden given earning potential. With 97.5% of graduates finding employment, Thiel delivers strong job placement despite its 43.5% six-year graduation rate.

The campus houses most of its students, with 862 bed spaces creating a residential college atmosphere. About 68% of students come from Pennsylvania, giving the school strong regional ties. The 82% acceptance rate means motivated students have good admission chances, though the 71% retention rate suggests the academic rigor and small-town setting aren't for everyone.

Academics & Faculty

Thiel College operates as a small liberal arts institution where students work closely with faculty in a 12:1 student-faculty ratio. The college has built its reputation around business programs, particularly through its well-regarded Tomcat Investment Fund where students manage real money. Only 43% of students graduate within six years, reflecting the challenges many face at this tuition-dependent institution. The Lutheran-affiliated college emphasizes experiential learning across its liberal arts curriculum. Students often praise the personalized attention from professors, though academic rigor varies between departments. The college's small size means limited course offerings in specialized fields, but students benefit from opportunities to conduct undergraduate research and participate in internships through strong regional business connections.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 12:1
Full-Time Faculty: 68.2%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 43.4%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 43.5%
Retention Rate: 71.5%
Median Earnings (10 years): $49,714
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Accounting and Related Services.	Bachelor	$43,922
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Bachelor	$42,086
Special Education and Teaching.	Bachelor	$36,848
Criminal Justice and Corrections.	Bachelor	$33,993
Communication and Media Studies.	Bachelor	$30,771
Sociology.	Bachelor	$30,409
Area Studies.	Bachelor	$29,685
Biology, General.	Bachelor	$26,896
History.	Bachelor	$22,771
Psychology, General.	Bachelor	$21,166

View all 49 programs →

Campus Life

Campus life at Thiel unfolds in rural western Pennsylvania, about 75 miles north of Pittsburgh. The 135-acre campus houses most of its 773 students, with housing capacity for 862. You'll need heavy winter coats for Pennsylvania's cold, snowy winters and lighter layers for humid summers.

With 51% men and 49% women, the gender split stays balanced across this tight-knit Lutheran liberal arts community. Students know each other's names and professors remember their faces in classes averaging 12 students each. The Tomcats compete in 21 Division III sports, drawing 429 athletes who represent over half the student body to games and matches.

Weekends revolve around athletics, outdoor activities in the surrounding countryside, and campus traditions rooted in the college's 1866 founding. Students often head to nearby Grove City for shopping or make weekend trips to Pittsburgh for bigger city experiences. The small-town setting in Greenville means most social life happens on campus, where 68% of students come from Pennsylvania and quickly form close bonds in residence halls and campus organizations.

Setting: Town-Distant
Housing Capacity: 862 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 14°–34°F
July Avg: 56°–83°F
Annual Precipitation: 40.7"
Annual Snowfall: -726.1"

Student Demographics

Thiel draws primarily from Pennsylvania, with about two-thirds of students coming from in-state. The college has built a solid regional reputation among families seeking a small Lutheran liberal arts education. The student body skews slightly male, reflecting strong programs in business and technology that attract more men. Nearly 40% of students receive Pell Grants, showing Thiel's commitment to making private education accessible to working-class families. The college maintains its Evangelical Lutheran identity while welcoming students from diverse backgrounds, with roughly one in five students representing minority communities.

Men: 51.4%
Women: 48.6%
White: 80.0%
Black: 10.6%
Hispanic: 2.2%
Asian: 0.9%
In-State Students: 68.8%
Pell Grant Recipients: 39.1%

Location

Thiel College sits in Greenville, Pennsylvania, about 75 miles north of Pittsburgh. The town of roughly 6,000 residents provides a classic small-town college experience in western Pennsylvania's rolling countryside. With 68.80% of students coming from in-state, many are familiar with the region's mix of rural landscapes and post-industrial communities. Greenville itself centers around the college, creating a tight-knit atmosphere where the 773 enrolled students represent a significant portion of the local population. The setting offers outdoor recreation opportunities while maintaining easy access to larger cities for internships and cultural experiences. Students considering colleges in Pennsylvania may also compare Thiel College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Greenville, Pennsylvania 16125-2181

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $49,714
Median Earnings (5 years): $48,963
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $34,400
Loan Repayment Rate: 61.7%
Monthly Loan Payment: $286/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $27,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Thiel College?

Thiel College accepts 82% of applicants, making admission fairly accessible for most students. The Lutheran liberal arts college in rural Pennsylvania draws students who want a close-knit community experience with small classes.

How much does Thiel College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $22,746 after aid, less than the $36,864 sticker price. About 39% of students receive Pell Grants, and the college provides institutional grants averaging $27,563 to help make education affordable.

What are class sizes like at Thiel College?

With a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and just 773 total students, Thiel offers an intimate academic environment. The small liberal arts setting means professors know students by name and can provide personalized attention in most classes.

How well do Thiel College graduates do after graduation?

Graduates earn a median salary of $49,714 ten years after graduation, with a 97.5% employment rate. However, only 44% of students graduate within six years, reflecting the college's open admission philosophy and student support challenges.

Where do most Thiel College students come from?

About 69% of students are from Pennsylvania, creating a regional student body at this small town campus. The 862-bed housing capacity can accommodate most of the 773 enrolled students who want the residential college experience.

Does Thiel College have strong athletics programs?

The Tomcats field 21 varsity sports in NCAA Division III with 429 student-athletes, meaning over half the student body participates in athletics. As a Division III school, Thiel offers no athletic scholarships but emphasizes the student-athlete experience in the Presidents' Athletic Conference.