Nichols vs. Western New England University

Comparable Facts

Compare Nichols College in Dudley, MA with Western New England University in Springfield, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western New England University is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (3,674 students vs. 1,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Nichols College is located in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Western New England University is in Springfield, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western New England University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Nichols College 15:1; Western New England University 12:1.

Nichols vs. Western New England University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nichols or Western New England University? 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 Western New England University than Nichols ($27,056 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western New England University are 1.5% lower than at Nichols College ($15,570 vs. $15,800).
• Western New England University is 12% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nichols (about $5,115 more per year; $47,820.00 vs. $42,705.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12% higher at Western New England University than at Nichols College (about $5,115 more per year; $47,820.00 vs. $42,705.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nichols College than at Western New England University (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western New England University students is 28.1% larger than aid received by Nichols College students ($33,067 vs. $25,809).

Nichols vs. Western New England University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Nichols or Western New England University? 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 Western New England University and Nichols.

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western New England University (1200) is 70 points higher than at Nichols (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nichols College 1028/1236; Western New England University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern New England University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nichols - Open admission; Western New England University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Western New England University students have a 0.59 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• Western New England University has a higher acceptance rate (83.5%) than Nichols (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at Nichols vs. 12.5% at Western New England University.

Nichols vs. Western New England University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nichols and Western New England University? 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).

• Western New England University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from Western New England University earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than Nichols graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western New England University and Nichols graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Western New England University and Nichols graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Western New England University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nichols students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.