USJ vs. Nichols

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, CT with Nichols College in Dudley, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Saint Joseph is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (1,952 students vs. 1,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Saint Joseph is located in West Hartford, CT (Small City setting); Nichols College is in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Saint Joseph is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Saint Joseph 10:1; Nichols College 15:1.

USJ vs. Nichols Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USJ or Nichols? 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 Saint Joseph than Nichols ($29,300 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Saint Joseph are 8.7% lower than at Nichols College ($14,426 vs. $15,800).
• University of Saint Joseph is 10.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nichols (about $4,573 more per year; $47,278.00 vs. $42,705.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.7% higher at USJ than at Nichols College (about $4,573 more per year; $47,278.00 vs. $42,705.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Saint Joseph than at Nichols College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Saint Joseph students is 19.1% larger than aid received by Nichols College students ($30,747 vs. $25,809).

USJ vs. Nichols Admissions comparison

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

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Nichols College (1130) is 120 points higher than at USJ (1010).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Saint Joseph 850/1170; Nichols College 1028/1236.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USJ - Test optional; Nichols - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman USJ students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• Nichols has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than USJ (78.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at USJ vs. 18.1% at Nichols.

USJ vs. Nichols Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USJ and Nichols? 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 Saint Joseph's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from Nichols College earn a median of about $600 more per year than USJ graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Nichols College and USJ graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Nichols College and USJ graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Nichols graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USJ students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 60%)

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.