Nichols vs. SUNY-ESF

Comparable Facts

Compare Nichols College in Dudley, MA with SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (2,757 students vs. 1,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Nichols College is located in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting); SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting).
• Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Nichols College 15:1; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 14:1.

Nichols vs. SUNY-ESF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nichols or SUNY-ESF? 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 SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry than Nichols ($19,814 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nichols College are 12.6% lower than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry ($15,800 vs. $18,080).
• Nichols College is 359% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY-ESF (about $33,402 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $9,303.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 91.8% higher at Nichols than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (about $20,442 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $22,263.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nichols College than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 196.7% larger than aid received by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students ($25,809 vs. $8,699).

Nichols vs. SUNY-ESF Admissions comparison

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

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (1220) is 90 points higher than at Nichols (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nichols College 1028/1236; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nichols - Open admission; SUNY-ESF - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY-ESF Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY-ESF 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-ESF (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at Nichols vs. 17.6% at SUNY-ESF.

Nichols vs. SUNY-ESF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nichols and SUNY-ESF? 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).

• SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from Nichols College earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than SUNY-ESF graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry graduates have a $7,250 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($19,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SUNY-ESF graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($204 vs. $279).
• More SUNY-ESF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nichols students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.