University of Southern Maine vs. Nichols

Deciding between University of Southern Maine and Nichols College? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Southern Maine
Nichols College

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Southern Maine Portland, ME
  • Nichols Dudley, MA
  • Setting
  • University of Southern Maine Small City
  • Nichols Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Southern Maine 7,604
  • Nichols 1,392
  • Type
  • University of Southern Maine Public 4 Year
  • Nichols Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Southern Maine #686
  • Nichols #855
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Southern Maine -
  • Nichols -
  • Status
  • University of Southern Maine Non-profit
  • Nichols Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Southern Maine
  • Nichols

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Southern Maine $11,284
  • Nichols $42,705
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Southern Maine $27,944
  • Nichols $42,705
  • Room & Board
  • University of Southern Maine $12,280
  • Nichols $15,800
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Southern Maine $14,028
  • Nichols $32,337
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Southern Maine $11,188
  • Nichols $25,809
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Southern Maine 95%
  • Nichols 99%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Southern Maine 5,822
  • Nichols 2,296
  • Admitted
  • University of Southern Maine 4,613
  • Nichols 1,856
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Southern Maine 79.2%
  • Nichols 80.8% Open
  • Enrolled
  • University of Southern Maine 15.3%
  • Nichols 18.1% Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Southern Maine 1120
  • Nichols 1130
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Southern Maine 26
  • Nichols
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Southern Maine 3.33
  • Nichols 2.9
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Southern Maine B+
  • Nichols B
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Southern Maine Average
  • Nichols Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Southern Maine
  • Nichols
  • ACT Range
  • University of Southern Maine 24/28
  • Nichols
  • SAT Range
  • University of Southern Maine 990/1250
  • Nichols 1028/1236
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Southern Maine Required
  • Nichols Open admission
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Southern Maine
  • Nichols

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Southern Maine 14:1
  • Nichols 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Southern Maine
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Social Sciences (17%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Nichols
    • Business (75%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (12%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
    • Psychology (3%)
    • Education (2%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Southern Maine 33%
  • Nichols 43%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Southern Maine $42,600
  • Nichols $51,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Southern Maine 64%
  • Nichols 68%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Southern Maine $22,500
  • Nichols $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Southern Maine $232
  • Nichols $279

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Southern Maine 37%
  • Nichols 65%
  • % Women
  • University of Southern Maine 63%
  • Nichols 35%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Southern Maine Very Low
  • Nichols Low
  • HBCU
  • University of Southern Maine No
  • Nichols No
  • % White
  • University of Southern Maine 82%
  • Nichols 81%
  • % Asian
  • University of Southern Maine 2%
  • Nichols 1%
  • % Black
  • University of Southern Maine 4%
  • Nichols 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Southern Maine 2%
  • Nichols 6%
  • % Native American
  • University of Southern Maine 1%
  • Nichols 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Southern Maine 0%
  • Nichols 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Southern Maine 3%
  • Nichols 4%
  • % International
  • University of Southern Maine 1%
  • Nichols 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Southern Maine 5%
  • Nichols 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Southern Maine 75%
  • Nichols 60%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Southern Maine 24%
  • Nichols 38%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of Southern Maine Yes
  • Nichols Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of Southern Maine No
  • Nichols No
  • Meal Plan
  • University of Southern Maine Yes
  • Nichols Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of Southern Maine Yes
  • Nichols Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of Southern Maine No
  • Nichols No

Comparable Facts

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

University of Southern Maine is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (7,604 students vs. 1,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Southern Maine is located in Portland, ME (Small City setting); Nichols College is in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting).
  • University of Southern Maine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Southern Maine 14:1; Nichols College 15:1.

University of Southern Maine vs. Nichols Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Southern Maine 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 Southern Maine than Nichols ($14,028 vs. $32,337).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern Maine are 22.3% lower than at Nichols College ($12,280 vs. $15,800).
  • Nichols College is 278.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Southern Maine (about $31,421 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $11,284.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 52.8% higher at Nichols than at University of Southern Maine (about $14,761 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $27,944.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nichols College than at University of Southern Maine (99% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 130.7% larger than aid received by University of Southern Maine students ($25,809 vs. $11,188).

University of Southern Maine vs. Nichols Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Southern Maine 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 Southern Maine.

  • Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Nichols College (1130) is 10 points higher than at University of Southern Maine (1120).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern Maine 990/1250; Nichols College 1028/1236.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern Maine 24/28.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Southern Maine - Required; Nichols - Open admission.
  • Accepted freshman University of Southern Maine students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Nichols (2.9).
  • Nichols has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than University of Southern Maine (79.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at University of Southern Maine vs. 18.1% at Nichols.

University of Southern Maine vs. Nichols Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Southern Maine 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 Southern Maine's (33%).
  • Graduates from Nichols College earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than University of Southern Maine graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Southern Maine graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, University of Southern Maine graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($232 vs. $279).
  • More Nichols graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Southern Maine students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 64%)

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.