Nichols vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts)

Comparable Facts

Compare Nichols College in Dudley, MA with Wheaton College (Massachusetts) in Norton, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (1,785 students vs. 1,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Nichols College is located in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is in Norton, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Nichols College 15:1; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 11:1.

Nichols vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nichols or Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts) than Nichols ($30,701 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nichols College are 2.5% lower than at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) ($15,800 vs. $16,200).
• Wheaton College (Massachusetts) is 49.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nichols (about $21,255 more per year; $63,960.00 vs. $42,705.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.8% higher at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) than at Nichols College (about $21,255 more per year; $63,960.00 vs. $42,705.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Nichols College as at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wheaton College (Massachusetts) students is 88.6% larger than aid received by Nichols College students ($48,666 vs. $25,809).

Nichols vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Nichols or Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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 Wheaton College (Massachusetts) and Nichols.

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (1310) is 180 points higher than at Nichols (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nichols College 1028/1236; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 1220/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWheaton College (Massachusetts) 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nichols - Open admission; Wheaton College (Massachusetts) - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wheaton College (Massachusetts) students have a 0.58 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• Nichols has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than Wheaton College (Massachusetts) (67.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at Nichols vs. 12.9% at Wheaton College (Massachusetts).

Nichols vs. Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nichols and Wheaton College (Massachusetts)? 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).

• Wheaton College (Massachusetts)'s six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from Wheaton College (Massachusetts) earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Nichols graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Wheaton College (Massachusetts) graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nichols students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.