Nichols vs. Wilson College

Comparable Facts

Compare Nichols College in Dudley, MA with Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wilson College is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (1,907 students vs. 1,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Nichols College is located in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Wilson College is in Chambersburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Nichols College 15:1; Wilson College 15:1.

Nichols vs. Wilson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nichols or Wilson College? 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 Wilson College than Nichols ($21,748 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilson College are 22.2% lower than at Nichols College ($12,296 vs. $15,800).
• Nichols College is 57.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wilson College (about $15,605 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $27,100.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.6% higher at Nichols than at Wilson College (about $15,605 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $27,100.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nichols College than at Wilson College (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 45.5% larger than aid received by Wilson College students ($25,809 vs. $17,736).

Nichols vs. Wilson College Admissions comparison

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

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Nichols College (1130) is 70 points higher than at Wilson College (1060).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nichols College 1028/1236; Wilson College 930/1180.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nichols - Open admission; Wilson College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Wilson College students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• Wilson College has a higher acceptance rate (92.1%) than Nichols (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at Nichols vs. 21.5% at Wilson College.

Nichols vs. Wilson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nichols and Wilson College? 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).

• Wilson College's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from Nichols College earn a median of about $17,100 more per year than Wilson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wilson College graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($25,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wilson College 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 Wilson College students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 66%)

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.