Fitchburg State vs. Nichols

Comparable Facts

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

Fitchburg State University is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 1,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); Nichols College is in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fitchburg State University 11:1; Nichols College 15:1.

Fitchburg State vs. Nichols Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State 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 Fitchburg State University than Nichols ($15,340 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 2.2% lower than at Nichols College ($15,452 vs. $15,800).
• Nichols College is 276.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $31,359 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 145.1% higher at Nichols than at Fitchburg State University (about $25,279 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nichols College than at Fitchburg State University (99% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 123.7% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($25,809 vs. $11,539).

Fitchburg State vs. Nichols Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State 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 Fitchburg State.

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fitchburg State University (1150) is 20 points higher than at Nichols (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230; Nichols College 1028/1236.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fitchburg State - Test optional; Nichols - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Fitchburg State students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Nichols (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 18.1% at Nichols.

Fitchburg State vs. Nichols Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State 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).

• Fitchburg State University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from Nichols College earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $4,315 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($22,685 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($234 vs. $279).
• More Nichols graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fitchburg State students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 65%)

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.