WestConn vs. Nichols

Should I go to Western Connecticut State University or Nichols College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WestConn or Nichols 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

ECSU SCSU CCSU Bryant University Buffalo State College Endicott College Westfield State University UConn Wheaton College Worcester State University SUNY-Potsdam SUNY Cortland
Western Connecticut State University vs. Nichols College comparison
Western Connecticut State University Nichols College College 3 College 4
Western Connecticut State University Nichols College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 WestConn Nichols
Location Danbury, CT Dudley, MA
Setting Small City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 4,417 1,403
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #466 #926
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wcsu.edu nichols.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 WestConn Nichols
Tuition (In State) $6,464 $37,150
Tuition (Out of State) $19,358 $37,150
Room & Board $14,568 $14,110
Avg Net Price $15,862 $27,192
Avg Grant Aid $9,057 $26,515
% Receiving Grant Aid 72% 100%

Admission

 WestConn Nichols
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,093 2,358
Admitted 4,253 2,001
Acceptance Rate 83.5% 84.9%Open
Enrolled % 14.8% 15.8%Open
Avg High School GPA 3.38 2.9
Typical High School Grades B+ B-
Admissions Standards Average Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/29
SAT Range 1010/1230 945/1180
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

 WestConn Nichols
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Business (75%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (12%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Psychology (3%)
  • Education (2%)

Outcomes

 WestConn Nichols
Graduation Rate 40% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,400 $51,800
Making Student Loan Payments 65% 68%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $279

Diversity

 WestConn Nichols
% Men 45% 63%
% Women 55% 37%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 61% 81%
% Black 12% 7%
% Hispanic 18% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 4%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 0%

Students

 WestConn Nichols
% In-State 70% 57%
% Out-of-State 30% 40%

Campus

 WestConn Nichols
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

  • Western Connecticut State University is larger than than Nichols based on total student enrollment (4,417 students vs. 1,403 students)

WestConn vs. Nichols Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn or Nichols?

  • Nichols College is 474.7% more expensive to attend than WestConn for in-state tuition ($37,150.00 vs. $6,464.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 91.9% higher at Nichols than Western Connecticut State University ($37,150.00 vs. $19,358.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Connecticut State University than Nichols ($15,862 vs. $27,192)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nichols College are 3.2% lower than costs at Western Connecticut State University ($14,110 vs. $14,568)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Nichols College than Western Connecticut State University (100% vs. 72%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 192.8% larger than aid received Western Connecticut State University ($26,515 vs. $9,057)

WestConn vs. Nichols Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WestConn or Nichols? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Nichols or WestConn .

  • Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at Nichols (2.9)
  • Nichols has a higher acceptance rate (84.9%) than WestConn (83.5%)

WestConn vs. Nichols Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WestConn or Nichols? 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 Nichols and WestConn.

  • The graduation rate at Nichols is higher than Western Connecticut State University (43% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from Nichols College earn on average $4,400 more per year than WestConn graduates after ten years. ($51,800 vs. $47,400)
  • Western Connecticut State University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Nichols graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • WestConn graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Nichols graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More Nichols graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WestConn students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 65%)

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