Nichols vs. TLU

Comparable Facts

Compare Nichols College in Dudley, MA with Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas Lutheran University is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (1,423 students vs. 1,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Nichols College is located in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Texas Lutheran University is in Seguin, TX (Distant Town setting).
• Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Nichols College 15:1; Texas Lutheran University 11:1.

Nichols vs. TLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nichols or TLU? 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 Texas Lutheran University than Nichols ($25,119 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Lutheran University are 21.8% lower than at Nichols College ($12,350 vs. $15,800).
• Nichols College is 17.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than TLU (about $6,475 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $36,230.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.9% higher at Nichols than at Texas Lutheran University (about $6,475 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $36,230.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Lutheran University than at Nichols College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 3.8% larger than aid received by Texas Lutheran University students ($25,809 vs. $24,861).

Nichols vs. TLU Admissions comparison

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

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Nichols College (1130) is the same as at TLU (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nichols College 1028/1236; Texas Lutheran University 1030/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTexas Lutheran University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nichols - Open admission; TLU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman TLU students have a 1 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• TLU has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than Nichols (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at Nichols vs. 16.8% at TLU.

Nichols vs. TLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nichols and TLU? 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).

• Texas Lutheran University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from Nichols College earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than TLU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $49,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas Lutheran University and Nichols graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Texas Lutheran University 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 TLU students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 67%)

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.