Nichols vs. Salem College

Comparable Facts

Compare Nichols College in Dudley, MA with Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Nichols College is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (1,392 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Nichols vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nichols or Salem 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 Salem College than Nichols ($18,668 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem College are 13.2% lower than at Nichols College ($13,710 vs. $15,800).
• Nichols College is 26.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem College (about $8,857 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.2% higher at Nichols than at Salem College (about $8,857 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at Nichols College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 16.2% larger than aid received by Nichols College students ($30,001 vs. $25,809).

Nichols vs. Salem College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Nichols or Salem 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 Salem College and Nichols.

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 20 points higher than at Nichols (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nichols College 1028/1236; Salem College 1066/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSalem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nichols - Open admission; Salem College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Salem College students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• Nichols has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at Nichols vs. 7.9% at Salem College.

Nichols vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nichols and Salem 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).

• Salem College's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from Nichols College earn a median of about $16,800 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem College and Nichols graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Salem College and Nichols graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Nichols graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 53%)

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.