Nichols vs. SUNY Cortland

Comparable Facts

Compare Nichols College in Dudley, MA with State University of New York at Cortland in Cortland, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

State University of New York at Cortland is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (6,938 students vs. 1,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Nichols College is located in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting); State University of New York at Cortland is in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Nichols College 15:1; State University of New York at Cortland 15:1.

Nichols vs. SUNY Cortland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nichols or SUNY Cortland? 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 State University of New York at Cortland than Nichols ($19,847 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at State University of New York at Cortland are 1.5% lower than at Nichols College ($15,560 vs. $15,800).
• Nichols College is 381.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $33,831 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 127.3% higher at Nichols than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $23,921 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $18,784.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nichols College than at State University of New York at Cortland (99% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 212.7% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($25,809 vs. $8,254).

Nichols vs. SUNY Cortland Admissions comparison

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

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at State University of New York at Cortland (1170) is 40 points higher than at Nichols (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nichols College 1028/1236; State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsState University of New York at Cortland 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nichols - Open admission; SUNY Cortland - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Cortland students have a 0.8 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• Nichols has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than SUNY Cortland (59.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at Nichols vs. 13.3% at SUNY Cortland.

Nichols vs. SUNY Cortland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nichols and SUNY Cortland? 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).

• State University of New York at Cortland's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from Nichols College earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than SUNY Cortland graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $47,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at Cortland graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Cortland graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More SUNY Cortland graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nichols students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.