UMass vs. Nichols

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 1,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Nichols College is in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; Nichols College 15:1.

UMass vs. Nichols Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass 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 Massachusetts Amherst than Nichols ($22,948 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nichols College are 5.4% lower than at University of Massachusetts Amherst ($15,800 vs. $16,710).
• Nichols College is 140.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $24,933 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.6% higher at Nichols than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $2,256 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nichols College than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (99% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 96.9% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($25,809 vs. $13,110).

UMass vs. Nichols Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMass 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 UMass.

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 280 points higher than at Nichols (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; Nichols College 1028/1236.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; Nichols - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 1.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• Nichols has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than UMass (59.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 18.1% at Nichols.

UMass vs. Nichols Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass 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 Massachusetts Amherst's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than Nichols graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,200 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Amherst graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($24,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UMass graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More UMass 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.