Nichols vs. USMMA

Comparable Facts

Compare Nichols College in Dudley, MA with United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Nichols College is larger than USMMA based on total student enrollment (1,392 students vs. 976 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Nichols College is located in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting); United States Merchant Marine Academy is in Kings Point, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. United States Merchant Marine Academy is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Nichols College 15:1; United States Merchant Marine Academy 13:1.

Nichols vs. USMMA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nichols or USMMA? 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 United States Merchant Marine Academy than Nichols ($4,101 vs. $32,337).
• Nichols College is 4,671.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than USMMA (about $41,810 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $895.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4,671.5% higher at Nichols than at United States Merchant Marine Academy (about $41,810 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $895.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nichols College than at United States Merchant Marine Academy (99% vs. 10%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 409.4% larger than aid received by United States Merchant Marine Academy students ($25,809 vs. $5,067).

Nichols vs. USMMA Admissions comparison

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

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at United States Merchant Marine Academy (1210) is 80 points higher than at Nichols (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nichols College 1028/1236; United States Merchant Marine Academy 1110/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUnited States Merchant Marine Academy 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nichols - Open admission; USMMA - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: USMMA Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USMMA students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• Nichols has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than USMMA (34.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at Nichols vs. 64.1% at USMMA.

Nichols vs. USMMA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nichols and USMMA? 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).

• Graduates from United States Merchant Marine Academy earn a median of about $40,600 more per year than Nichols graduates about ten years after starting college ($92,400 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, United States Merchant Marine Academy graduates have a $20,500 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($6,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, USMMA graduates have an estimated $212 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($67 vs. $279).

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.