University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Nichols

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Boston is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (15,575 students vs. 1,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Boston is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Nichols College is in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Massachusetts Boston 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 Boston 15:1; Nichols College 15:1.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Nichols Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Massachusetts-Boston 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 Boston than Nichols ($17,768 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nichols College are 17.4% lower than at University of Massachusetts Boston ($15,800 vs. $19,128).
• Nichols College is 168.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Boston (about $26,797 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $15,908.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12% higher at Nichols than at University of Massachusetts Boston (about $4,580 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $38,125.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nichols College than at University of Massachusetts Boston (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 83.8% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students ($25,809 vs. $14,042).

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Nichols Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Massachusetts-Boston 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 University of Massachusetts-Boston.

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Boston (1180) is 50 points higher than at Nichols (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Boston 1070/1290; Nichols College 1028/1236.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Boston 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Massachusetts-Boston - Test optional; Nichols - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Massachusetts-Boston students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.35) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• University of Massachusetts-Boston has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than Nichols (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. 18.1% at Nichols.

University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Nichols Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Massachusetts-Boston 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).

• Nichols College's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Boston's (40%).
• Graduates from Nichols College earn a median of about $600 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Boston graduates have a $4,940 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($22,060 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($228 vs. $279).
• More Nichols graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Boston students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 58%)

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.