Nichols vs. SAU

Comparable Facts

Compare Nichols College in Dudley, MA with Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Spring Arbor University is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (2,441 students vs. 1,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Nichols College is located in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Spring Arbor University is in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting).
• Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Nichols College 15:1; Spring Arbor University 12:1.

Nichols vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nichols or SAU? 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 Spring Arbor University than Nichols ($21,067 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 27.6% lower than at Nichols College ($11,440 vs. $15,800).
• Nichols College is 25.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than SAU (about $8,691 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.6% higher at Nichols than at Spring Arbor University (about $8,691 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University than at Nichols College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 8.1% larger than aid received by Spring Arbor University students ($25,809 vs. $23,877).

Nichols vs. SAU Admissions comparison

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

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Nichols College (1130) is the same as at SAU (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nichols College 1028/1236; Spring Arbor University 1010/1240.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nichols - Open admission; SAU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.71 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• Nichols has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at Nichols vs. 16.5% at SAU.

Nichols vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nichols and SAU? 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).

• Spring Arbor University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from Nichols College earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than SAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $2,957 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($24,043 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More Nichols graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 58%)

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.