WATERVILLE — Across New England and the nation, many small colleges are closing or downsizing. But in Waterville, Thomas College is seeing record numbers: its largest graduating class in May and one of its biggest incoming classes in nearly a decade.
Thomas College welcomed one of its largest incoming undergraduate classes since 2018 with double digit growth at a time when many small colleges are seeing their enrollment decline. The overall student population is more than 880 undergraduate and graduate students.
This year’s incoming students hail from 29 states and 17 countries, with an average GPA of 3.4. Seventeen percent of the incoming class are from out-of-state, and 13% are international students. Final enrollment numbers will be confirmed in October.
Graduate program enrollment is also on the rise, driven in part by the growth of Thomas College’s online MBA program.
This milestone comes just months after the College graduated the largest class in its history this past May. Historically, 73% of Thomas graduates remain in Maine to live and work after graduation, fueling the state’s workforce and economy.
At the same time, Thomas College is looking ahead. Under the leadership of President Dr. Jeannine Diddle Uzzi, who began her tenure in November 2024, the College has launched a bold five-year strategic plan: Building the College of the Future.
“Our goal is to prepare an AI-ready generation — equipping today’s students with both cutting-edge technical expertise and the durable skills they’ll need to thrive in a world of rapid change,” said Dr. Uzzi. “We are committed to evolving our academic model while preserving the close-knit, student-centered community that defines Thomas College.”
The new plan emphasizes:
- Expanding academic initiatives to meet workforce needs, including in AI, mental health, and health sciences.
- Supporting Generations Z and Alpha with the skills needed to succeed in a fast-changing economy.
- Recruiting and retaining top faculty and staff to deliver innovative, student-centered education.
As the academic year begins, Thomas College is buzzing with energy — from welcoming new faculty and staff to launching new academic programs, to introducing initiatives designed to shape the College of the Future.
Thomas College, located in beautiful Waterville, Maine, is defining what it means to be the College of the Future. With a strong commitment to innovation, career readiness, and community partnerships, Thomas College is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of Maine’s top colleges for social mobility. Our distinctive Guaranteed Job Program™, accelerated undergraduate degrees, and flexible graduate programs empower students to advance faster in business, entrepreneurship, education, technology, applied STEM, and arts & science fields. At Thomas, belonging isn’t a buzzword; it’s a promise. We create a supportive, welcoming environment where every student is seen, valued, and prepared to thrive in a rapidly changing world. For more information visit thomas.edu or contact MacKenzie Riley Young at [email protected] or 207-859-1313. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
