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$29,300Tuition
95Students
62%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$53,565Earnings
#7 in New HampshirePrivate nonprofit4-yearLiberal ArtsStudy AbroadData: 2023-24Roman Catholic

About Thomas More College of Liberal Arts

Thomas More College centers its education on the Great Books curriculum, where students dive deep into classic texts from Plato to Dostoevsky. This tiny Catholic liberal arts college enrolls just 95 students in suburban Merrimack, creating an intensely personal academic environment. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know every student by name. Classical education here isn't just reading old books, it's training minds to grapple with the biggest questions in Western civilization.

Students pay an average net price of $21,511 after financial aid, well below the sticker price of $29,300. About 51% of students receive some form of financial assistance. Graduates earn a median of $53,565 ten years after graduation, while typical debt loads hit $25,000. The monthly loan payment of $265 represents a manageable burden for most graduates. An employment rate of 93.6% suggests the rigorous liberal arts training translates to real-world success.

The student body draws heavily from out of state, with only 15% coming from New Hampshire. A 92% retention rate indicates students stick with the demanding curriculum once they arrive. Housing capacity of 92 means nearly every student can live on campus, fostering the tight-knit community that defines the Thomas More experience.

Academics & Faculty

Thomas More College centers its academics around the Great Books curriculum, a classical education approach that has students read foundational texts from Plato to Shakespeare to Aquinas. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know every student personally and can guide them through challenging philosophical and literary works. With just 95 students total, seminar-style discussions replace large lectures. The 67% four-year graduation rate reflects the rigorous nature of the curriculum, though the 92% retention rate shows students who stay are deeply engaged. This Catholic liberal arts education produces graduates who think critically about Western civilization's greatest ideas. Students debate Homer in the morning and Dante after lunch, building intellectual foundations that prepare them for graduate study or careers requiring analytical thinking.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
10:1
Full-Time Faculty
100.0%
Graduation Rate (4-year)
66.7%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
61.5%
Retention Rate
91.7%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$53,565
Carnegie Classification
Liberal Arts College

Campus Life

Thomas More College sits on 14 wooded acres in Merrimack, about an hour north of Boston. With just 95 students total, this feels more like an extended family than a traditional college campus. Nearly all students live on campus since housing capacity reaches 92 beds. New Hampshire winters demand heavy coats and snow boots, while fall brings spectacular foliage to the surrounding forests.

The 10:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know every student by name. Weekend life revolves around the tight-knit community since 85% of students come from out of state. Students gather for evening discussions that extend their Great Books seminars, attend campus Masses reflecting the Catholic identity, and organize informal activities like hiking or movie nights. The small size means no anonymity but also no boring Friday nights alone. Many students head to nearby Manchester or make the drive to Boston for bigger city experiences. The 91.67% retention rate suggests students who choose this intimate academic environment rarely want to leave.
Setting
Suburb-Midsize
Housing Capacity
92 beds
Calendar System
Semester
Study Abroad
Available

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg
12°–33°F
July Avg
59°–82°F
Annual Precipitation
48.0"
Annual Snowfall
-722.8"

Student Demographics

Thomas More draws students nationwide who seek an intensely Catholic Great Books education, with 85% coming from outside New Hampshire. The student body splits evenly between men and women, reflecting the college's classical liberal arts focus rather than any gender-specific programs. Half of students receive Pell Grants, showing the school attracts committed Catholics regardless of economic background. With only 95 total students and 74% identifying as white, this creates an intimate, homogeneous community united by shared faith and intellectual tradition rather than geographic proximity.
Men
49.5%
Women
50.5%
White
73.7%
Black
0.0%
Hispanic
6.3%
Asian
2.1%
In-State Students
15.0%
Pell Grant Recipients
50.5%

Location

Thomas More College sits in Merrimack, New Hampshire, about 45 miles north of Boston. The campus occupies a suburban setting in the Merrimack Valley, where New England's rolling hills meet small-town charm. Only 15% of students come from in-state, drawing most from across New England and beyond to this quiet corner of southern New Hampshire. The area offers easy access to hiking trails and historic New England towns while staying connected to Boston's cultural and professional opportunities. The college's 92-bed housing capacity serves most of its 95 students in this close-knit academic environment. Students considering colleges in New Hampshire may also compare Thomas More College with similar schools in the region.
Address
Merrimack, New Hampshire 03054
Thomas More College of Liberal Arts campus
Thomas More College of Liberal Arts campus

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years)
$53,565
Median Earnings (5 years)
$35,029
Loan Repayment Rate
60.6%
Monthly Loan Payment
$265/mo
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the student body size at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts?

Thomas More College of Liberal Arts enrolls just 95 students total. This tiny Catholic college in New Hampshire creates an intimate learning environment built around its Great Books curriculum and classical education approach.

How much does Thomas More College of Liberal Arts cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $21,511 after aid, down from the $40,900 total cost of attendance. About 50.53% of students receive financial aid, with many coming from lower-income families as evidenced by the high Pell Grant recipient rate.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts?

The student-faculty ratio is 10:1, ensuring personalized attention in this rigorous liberal arts environment. The college focuses on classical education through discussion-based seminars centered on the Great Books of Western civilization.

What are the graduation rates at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts?

The four-year graduation rate is 66.67%, while the six-year rate drops to 61.50%. Despite the demanding curriculum, students show strong commitment with a 91.67% retention rate from freshman to sophomore year.

Where do Thomas More College of Liberal Arts students come from geographically?

Only 15% of students are from New Hampshire, making this a truly national college despite its small size. The student body of 95 draws from across the country, attracted by the unique Great Books program and Catholic intellectual tradition.

How much do Thomas More College of Liberal Arts graduates typically earn?

Alumni earn a median of $53,565 ten years after graduation, with an employment rate of 93.6%. The liberal arts education prepares graduates for diverse careers, though the median debt load of $25,000 requires monthly loan payments of $265.