ECSU vs. Nichols

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, CT with Nichols College in Dudley, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Connecticut State University is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (4,355 students vs. 1,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Connecticut State University is located in Willimantic, CT (Distant Town setting); Nichols College is in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Eastern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Connecticut State University 15:1; Nichols College 15:1.

ECSU vs. Nichols Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU or Nichols? 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 Eastern Connecticut State University than Nichols ($21,512 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nichols College are 9.4% lower than at Eastern Connecticut State University ($15,800 vs. $17,445).
• Nichols College is 206.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $28,777 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $13,928.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 145% higher at Nichols than at Eastern Connecticut State University (about $25,277 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $17,428.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nichols College than at Eastern Connecticut State University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 146.3% larger than aid received by Eastern Connecticut State University students ($25,809 vs. $10,480).

ECSU vs. Nichols Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECSU or Nichols? 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 Nichols and ECSU.

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eastern Connecticut State University (1170) is 40 points higher than at Nichols (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Connecticut State University 1070/1260; Nichols College 1028/1236.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; Nichols - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman ECSU students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• ECSU has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Nichols (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at ECSU vs. 18.1% at Nichols.

ECSU vs. Nichols Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU and Nichols? 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).

• Eastern Connecticut State University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from Nichols College earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Connecticut State University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ECSU graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More ECSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nichols students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 68%)

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.