Nichols vs. UMass Dartmouth

Comparable Facts

Compare Nichols College in Dudley, MA with University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in North Dartmouth, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (7,968 students vs. 1,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Nichols College is located in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting); University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is in North Dartmouth, MA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Nichols College 15:1; University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 16:1.

Nichols vs. UMass Dartmouth Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nichols or UMass Dartmouth? 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 University of Massachusetts Dartmouth than Nichols ($21,094 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nichols College are 14.9% lower than at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth ($15,800 vs. $18,566).
• Nichols College is 173.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass Dartmouth (about $27,093 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $15,612.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.1% higher at Nichols than at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (about $10,138 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $32,567.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nichols College than at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 121.4% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Dartmouth students ($25,809 vs. $11,658).

Nichols vs. UMass Dartmouth Admissions comparison

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

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (1160) is 30 points higher than at Nichols (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nichols College 1028/1236; University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Massachusetts Dartmouth 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nichols - Open admission; UMass Dartmouth - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UMass Dartmouth students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• UMass Dartmouth has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than Nichols (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at Nichols vs. 13.5% at UMass Dartmouth.

Nichols vs. UMass Dartmouth Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nichols and UMass Dartmouth? 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).

• University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from Nichols College earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than UMass Dartmouth graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth graduates have a $1,240 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($25,760 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UMass Dartmouth graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($266 vs. $279).
• More Nichols graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass Dartmouth 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.