Nichols vs. Cedar Crest College

Comparable Facts

Compare Nichols College in Dudley, MA with Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Nichols College is larger than Cedar Crest College based on total student enrollment (1,392 students vs. 1,290 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Nichols College is located in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Cedar Crest College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cedar Crest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Nichols College 15:1; Cedar Crest College 9:1.

Nichols vs. Cedar Crest College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nichols or Cedar Crest College? 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 Cedar Crest College than Nichols ($23,691 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cedar Crest College are 15.2% lower than at Nichols College ($13,406 vs. $15,800).
• Cedar Crest College is 8.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nichols (about $3,609 more per year; $46,314.00 vs. $42,705.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.5% higher at Cedar Crest College than at Nichols College (about $3,609 more per year; $46,314.00 vs. $42,705.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Nichols College as at Cedar Crest College (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cedar Crest College students is 29.1% larger than aid received by Nichols College students ($33,323 vs. $25,809).

Nichols vs. Cedar Crest College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Nichols or Cedar Crest College? 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 Cedar Crest College and Nichols.

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Nichols College (1130) is 10 points higher than at Cedar Crest College (1120).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nichols College 1028/1236; Cedar Crest College 1000/1230.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nichols - Open admission; Cedar Crest College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Cedar Crest College students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• Cedar Crest College has a higher acceptance rate (84.1%) than Nichols (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at Nichols vs. 13.5% at Cedar Crest College.

Nichols vs. Cedar Crest College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nichols and Cedar Crest College? 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).

• Cedar Crest College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from Nichols College earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than Cedar Crest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $47,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Nichols College graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Cedar Crest College graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,750).
• Among borrowers, Nichols graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cedar Crest College graduates ($279 vs. $286).
• More Nichols graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cedar Crest College students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 59%)

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.