Massachusetts Maritime Academy vs. Nichols

Comparable Facts

Compare Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay, MA with Nichols College in Dudley, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Massachusetts Maritime Academy is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (1,488 students vs. 1,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Massachusetts Maritime Academy is located in Buzzards Bay, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); Nichols College is in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts Maritime Academy 13:1; Nichols College 15:1.

Massachusetts Maritime Academy vs. Nichols Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Massachusetts Maritime Academy 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 Massachusetts Maritime Academy than Nichols ($13,546 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Massachusetts Maritime Academy are 5.1% lower than at Nichols College ($14,990 vs. $15,800).
• Nichols College is 273.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Massachusetts Maritime Academy (about $31,285 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $11,420.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 80% higher at Nichols than at Massachusetts Maritime Academy (about $18,983 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $23,722.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nichols College than at Massachusetts Maritime Academy (99% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 56.4% larger than aid received by Massachusetts Maritime Academy students ($25,809 vs. $16,502).

Massachusetts Maritime Academy vs. Nichols Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Massachusetts Maritime Academy 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 Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Nichols College (1130) is 20 points higher than at Massachusetts Maritime Academy (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Maritime Academy 1030/1185; Nichols College 1028/1236.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Massachusetts Maritime Academy 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Massachusetts Maritime Academy - Test-free; Nichols - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Apr 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Massachusetts Maritime Academy students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.25) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• Massachusetts Maritime Academy has a higher acceptance rate (94.7%) than Nichols (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.1% at Massachusetts Maritime Academy vs. 18.1% at Nichols.

Massachusetts Maritime Academy vs. Nichols Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Massachusetts Maritime Academy 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).

• Massachusetts Maritime Academy's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from Massachusetts Maritime Academy earn a median of about $36,100 more per year than Nichols graduates about ten years after starting college ($87,900 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Nichols College and Massachusetts Maritime Academy graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Nichols College and Massachusetts Maritime Academy graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Massachusetts Maritime Academy graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nichols students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.