University of West Alabama vs. Nicholls State University

Should I go to University of West Alabama or Nicholls State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of West Alabama or Nicholls State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of West Alabama vs. Nicholls State University comparison
University of West Alabama Nicholls State University College 3 College 4
Nicholls State University
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Overview

University of West Alabama Nicholls State University
Location Livingston, AL Thibodaux, LA
Setting Remote Rural Small City
Enrollment 5,860 5,883
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1007 #910
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uwa.edu nicholls.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of West Alabama Nicholls State University
Tuition (In State) $9,100 $4,922
Tuition (Out of State) $18,200 $6,015
Room & Board $7,820 $10,602
Avg Net Price $13,786 $12,365
Avg Grant Aid $9,291 $9,310
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 100%

Admission

University of West Alabama Nicholls State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,131 2,289
Admitted 2,156 2,253
Acceptance Rate 68.9% 98.4%
Enrolled % 14.4% 43.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.16 3.34
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/21 19/24
SAT Range 880/980 938/1130
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 10, 2025

Academics

University of West Alabama Nicholls State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (27%)
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Business (14%)
  • English and Literature (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (19%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Personal and Culinary Services (7%)

Outcomes

University of West Alabama Nicholls State University
Graduation Rate 28% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,500 $42,600
Making Student Loan Payments 36% 51%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,489 $19,848
Median Loan Payment $273 $205

Diversity

University of West Alabama Nicholls State University
% Men 25% 35%
% Women 75% 65%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 45% 68%
% Black 40% 20%
% Hispanic 2% 3%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 6% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

University of West Alabama Nicholls State University
% In-State 81% 92%
% Out-of-State 13% 6%

Campus

University of West Alabama Nicholls State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Nicholls State University is larger than than University of West Alabama based on total student enrollment (5,883 students vs. 5,860 students)

University of West Alabama vs. Nicholls State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of West Alabama or Nicholls State University?

  • University of West Alabama is 84.9% more expensive to attend than Nicholls State University for in-state tuition ($9,100.00 vs. $4,922.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 202.6% higher at University of West Alabama than Nicholls State University ($18,200.00 vs. $6,015.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Nicholls State University than University of West Alabama ($12,365 vs. $13,786)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Alabama are 35.6% lower than costs at Nicholls State University ($7,820 vs. $10,602)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Nicholls State University than University of West Alabama (100% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Nicholls State University students is 0.2% larger than aid received University of West Alabama ($9,310 vs. $9,291)

University of West Alabama vs. Nicholls State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of West Alabama or Nicholls State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Nicholls State University or University of West Alabama .

  • The average SAT score at Nicholls State University (1030) is 100 points higher than at University of West Alabama (930)
  • Incoming Nicholls State University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at University of West Alabama (20)
  • Accepted freshman Nicholls State University students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.34) than students at University of West Alabama (3.16)
  • Nicholls State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.4%) than University of West Alabama (68.9%)

University of West Alabama vs. Nicholls State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of West Alabama or Nicholls State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Nicholls State University and University of West Alabama.

  • The graduation rate at Nicholls State University is higher than University of West Alabama (38% vs. 28%)
  • Graduates from Nicholls State University earn on average $4,100 more per year than University of West Alabama graduates after ten years. ($42,600 vs. $38,500)
  • Nicholls State University students graduate with a $6,641 lower median federal student loan debt than University of West Alabama graduates. ($19,848 vs. $26,489)
  • Nicholls State University graduates are paying $68 less per month on federal student loans than University of West Alabama graduates. ($205 vs. $273)
  • More Nicholls State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of West Alabama students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 36%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/