Nichols vs. Randolph-Macon

Comparable Facts

Compare Nichols College in Dudley, MA with Randolph Macon College in Ashland, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Randolph Macon College is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (1,687 students vs. 1,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Nichols College is located in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Randolph Macon College is in Ashland, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Randolph Macon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Nichols College 15:1; Randolph Macon College 11:1.

Nichols vs. Randolph-Macon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nichols or Randolph-Macon? 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 Randolph Macon College than Nichols ($28,912 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Randolph Macon College are 8% lower than at Nichols College ($14,540 vs. $15,800).
• Randolph Macon College is 15.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nichols (about $6,761 more per year; $49,466.00 vs. $42,705.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.8% higher at Randolph-Macon than at Nichols College (about $6,761 more per year; $49,466.00 vs. $42,705.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Randolph Macon College than at Nichols College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Randolph Macon College students is 35.5% larger than aid received by Nichols College students ($34,972 vs. $25,809).

Nichols vs. Randolph-Macon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Nichols or Randolph-Macon? 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 Randolph-Macon and Nichols.

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Nichols College (1130) is 30 points higher than at Randolph-Macon (1100).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nichols College 1028/1236; Randolph Macon College 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsRandolph Macon College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nichols - Open admission; Randolph-Macon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Randolph-Macon Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Randolph-Macon students have a 0.8 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• Randolph-Macon has a higher acceptance rate (86.6%) than Nichols (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at Nichols vs. 18.9% at Randolph-Macon.

Nichols vs. Randolph-Macon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nichols and Randolph-Macon? 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).

• Randolph Macon College's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from Nichols College earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than Randolph-Macon graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $50,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Randolph Macon College and Nichols graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Randolph Macon College and Nichols graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Randolph-Macon 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.