Centenary College of Louisiana vs. Nicholls State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Centenary College of Louisiana in Shreveport, LA with Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Nicholls State University is larger than Centenary College of Louisiana based on total student enrollment (6,043 students vs. 712 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Centenary College of Louisiana is located in Shreveport, LA (Midsize City setting); Nicholls State University is in Thibodaux, LA (Small City setting).
• Centenary College of Louisiana is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Nicholls State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Centenary College of Louisiana 8:1; Nicholls State University 19:1.

Centenary College of Louisiana vs. Nicholls State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Centenary College of Louisiana or Nicholls State University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Nicholls State University than Centenary College of Louisiana ($12,298 vs. $25,953).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nicholls State University are 22.9% lower than at Centenary College of Louisiana ($11,412 vs. $14,800).
• Centenary College of Louisiana is 405.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nicholls State University (about $33,051 more per year; $41,200.00 vs. $8,149.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 345.8% higher at Centenary College of Louisiana than at Nicholls State University (about $31,958 more per year; $41,200.00 vs. $9,242.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Centenary College of Louisiana than at Nicholls State University (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Centenary College of Louisiana students is 233.1% larger than aid received by Nicholls State University students ($34,617 vs. $10,392).

Centenary College of Louisiana vs. Nicholls State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Centenary College of Louisiana or Nicholls State University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Nicholls State University and Centenary College of Louisiana.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Centenary College of Louisiana (1140) is 70 points higher than at Nicholls State University (1070).
• Incoming Centenary College of Louisiana students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Nicholls State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Centenary College of Louisiana 1060/1210; Nicholls State University 934/1196.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Centenary College of Louisiana 20/25; Nicholls State University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Centenary College of Louisiana - Test optional; Nicholls State University - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Centenary College of Louisiana Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Centenary College of Louisiana students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Nicholls State University (3.34).
• Nicholls State University has a higher acceptance rate (90.8%) than Centenary College of Louisiana (55.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.3% at Centenary College of Louisiana vs. 35.4% at Nicholls State University.

Centenary College of Louisiana vs. Nicholls State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Centenary College of Louisiana and Nicholls State University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Centenary College of Louisiana's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Nicholls State University's (38%).
• Graduates from Centenary College of Louisiana earn a median of about $9,900 more per year than Nicholls State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,500 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Nicholls State University graduates have a $6,152 lower median loan debt than Centenary College of Louisiana graduates ($19,848 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Nicholls State University graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Centenary College of Louisiana graduates ($205 vs. $268).
• More Centenary College of Louisiana graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nicholls State University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.