Nicholls State University vs. UL Lafayette

Comparable Facts

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

University of Louisiana at Lafayette is larger than Nicholls State University based on total student enrollment (15,665 students vs. 6,043 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Nicholls State University vs. UL Lafayette Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nicholls State University or UL Lafayette? 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 UL Lafayette ($12,298 vs. $13,017).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nicholls State University are 5.7% lower than at University of Louisiana at Lafayette ($11,412 vs. $12,108).
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette is 27.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nicholls State University (about $2,269 more per year; $10,418.00 vs. $8,149.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 161.3% higher at UL Lafayette than at Nicholls State University (about $14,904 more per year; $24,146.00 vs. $9,242.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisiana at Lafayette than at Nicholls State University (91% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisiana at Lafayette students is 13.2% larger than aid received by Nicholls State University students ($11,762 vs. $10,392).

Nicholls State University vs. UL Lafayette Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (1180) is 110 points higher than at Nicholls State University (1070).
• Incoming UL Lafayette students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at Nicholls State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nicholls State University 934/1196; University of Louisiana at Lafayette 1120/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nicholls State University 19/24; University of Louisiana at Lafayette 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nicholls State University - Required; UL Lafayette - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UL Lafayette students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Nicholls State University (3.34).
• Nicholls State University has a higher acceptance rate (90.8%) than UL Lafayette (87%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.4% at Nicholls State University vs. 31.7% at UL Lafayette.

Nicholls State University vs. UL Lafayette Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Louisiana at Lafayette's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Nicholls State University's (38%).
• Graduates from University of Louisiana at Lafayette earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Nicholls State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,000 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduates have a $348 lower median loan debt than Nicholls State University graduates ($19,500 vs. $19,848).
• Among borrowers, UL Lafayette graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nicholls State University graduates ($201 vs. $205).
• More UL Lafayette graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nicholls State University students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.