Nichols vs. Arcadia

Comparable Facts

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

Arcadia University is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (3,404 students vs. 1,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Nichols College is located in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Arcadia University is in Glenside, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Arcadia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Nichols College 15:1; Arcadia University 10:1.

Nichols vs. Arcadia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nichols or Arcadia? 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 Arcadia University than Nichols ($30,037 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nichols College are 8% lower than at Arcadia University ($15,800 vs. $17,180).
• Arcadia University is 16.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nichols (about $6,905 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $42,705.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.2% higher at Arcadia than at Nichols College (about $6,905 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $42,705.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Nichols College as at Arcadia University (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 34.5% larger than aid received by Nichols College students ($34,705 vs. $25,809).

Nichols vs. Arcadia Admissions comparison

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

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arcadia University (1170) is 40 points higher than at Nichols (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nichols College 1028/1236; Arcadia University 1065/1265.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nichols - Open admission; Arcadia - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Arcadia students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• Nichols has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than Arcadia (80.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at Nichols vs. 7.4% at Arcadia.

Nichols vs. Arcadia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nichols and Arcadia? 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).

• Arcadia University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from Nichols College earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Arcadia graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arcadia University and Nichols graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Arcadia University and Nichols graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Arcadia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nichols students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.