Nichols vs. KSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Nichols College in Dudley, MA with Keene State College in Keene, NH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Keene State College is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (2,848 students vs. 1,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Nichols College is located in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Keene State College is in Keene, NH (Distant Town setting).
• Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Keene State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Nichols College 15:1; Keene State College 17:1.

Nichols vs. KSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nichols or KSC? 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 Keene State College than Nichols ($19,997 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Keene State College are 12.9% lower than at Nichols College ($13,766 vs. $15,800).
• Nichols College is 188.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than KSC (about $27,921 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $14,784.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.1% higher at Nichols than at Keene State College (about $15,865 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $26,840.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Keene State College than at Nichols College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 109.8% larger than aid received by Keene State College students ($25,809 vs. $12,302).

Nichols vs. KSC Admissions comparison

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

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Nichols College (1130) is 60 points higher than at KSC (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nichols College 1028/1236; Keene State College 970/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsKeene State College 24/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nichols - Open admission; KSC - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: KSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman KSC students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.1) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• KSC has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than Nichols (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at Nichols vs. 14.5% at KSC.

Nichols vs. KSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nichols and KSC? 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).

• Keene State College's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from Nichols College earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than KSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $44,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Keene State College graduates have a $705 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($26,295 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, KSC graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($271 vs. $279).
• More KSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nichols students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.