WestConn vs. Nichols

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT with Nichols College in Dudley, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Connecticut State University is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (4,169 students vs. 1,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT (Small City setting); Nichols College is in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Western Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Connecticut State University 11:1; Nichols College 15:1.

WestConn vs. Nichols Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn 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 Western Connecticut State University than Nichols ($17,185 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Connecticut State University are 0.9% lower than at Nichols College ($15,659 vs. $15,800).
• Nichols College is 218.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WestConn (about $29,304 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $13,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 152.7% higher at Nichols than at Western Connecticut State University (about $25,804 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $16,901.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nichols College than at Western Connecticut State University (99% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 100.5% larger than aid received by Western Connecticut State University students ($25,809 vs. $12,870).

WestConn vs. Nichols Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WestConn 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 WestConn.

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Nichols College (1130) is 20 points higher than at WestConn (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170; Nichols College 1028/1236.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WestConn - Test optional; Nichols - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• WestConn has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than Nichols (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at WestConn vs. 18.1% at Nichols.

WestConn vs. Nichols Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WestConn 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 Western Connecticut State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Nichols College earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than WestConn graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Connecticut State University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WestConn graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.