Nicholls State University vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

Compare Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, LA with The University of Tennessee Chattanooga in Chattanooga, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is larger than Nicholls State University based on total student enrollment (11,775 students vs. 6,043 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Nicholls State University is located in Thibodaux, LA (Small City setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Nicholls State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Nicholls State University 19:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

Nicholls State University vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nicholls State University or UTC? 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 UTC ($12,298 vs. $15,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nicholls State University are 9.5% lower than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga ($11,412 vs. $12,604).
• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is 28.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nicholls State University (about $2,299 more per year; $10,448.00 vs. $8,149.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 100.3% higher at UTC than at Nicholls State University (about $9,270 more per year; $18,512.00 vs. $9,242.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga than at Nicholls State University (92% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nicholls State University students is 3.5% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students ($10,392 vs. $10,038).

Nicholls State University vs. UTC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Nicholls State University or UTC? 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 UTC and Nicholls State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (1110) is 40 points higher than at Nicholls State University (1070).
• Incoming UTC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Nicholls State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nicholls State University 934/1196; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nicholls State University 19/24; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nicholls State University - Required; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UTC students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Nicholls State University (3.34).
• Nicholls State University has a higher acceptance rate (90.8%) than UTC (81.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.4% at Nicholls State University vs. 29.2% at UTC.

Nicholls State University vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nicholls State University and UTC? 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).

• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Nicholls State University's (38%).
• Graduates from Nicholls State University earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than UTC graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Nicholls State University graduates have a $944 lower median loan debt than UTC graduates ($19,848 vs. $20,792).
• Among borrowers, Nicholls State University graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UTC graduates ($205 vs. $214).
• More UTC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nicholls State University students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.