ECSU vs. Nichols

Eastern Connecticut State University and Nichols College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Eastern Connecticut State University
Nichols College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Nichols (80.8% admitted vs 83%). Typical SAT 1130 vs 1170.
  • Cheaper after aid: ECSU. Average net price is $21,512 vs $32,337 at Nichols.
  • Graduation: ECSU 49% vs Nichols 43%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: ECSU $46,400 vs Nichols $51,800 (median).
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Key differences

Eastern Connecticut State University Nichols College
Acceptance rate
Nichols more selective
ECSU83%
Nichols80.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
ECSU higher
ECSU1070-1260
Nichols1028-1236
Average net price
ECSU $10,825 less
ECSU$21,512
Nichols$32,337
In-state tuition
ECSU $28,777 less
ECSU$13,928
Nichols$42,705
Out-of-state tuition
ECSU $25,277 less
ECSU$17,428
Nichols$42,705
Graduation rate
ECSU +6 pts
ECSU49%
Nichols43%
Median earnings (10 years)
Nichols +$5,400
ECSU$46,400
Nichols$51,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • ECSU 6,491
  • Nichols 2,296
  • Admitted
  • ECSU 5,386
  • Nichols 1,856
  • Acceptance rate
  • ECSU 83%
  • Nichols 80.8% Open
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • ECSU 15%
  • Nichols 18.1% Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • ECSU 1170
  • Nichols 1130
  • Typical ACT score
  • ECSU
  • Nichols
  • Average high school GPA
  • ECSU 3.4
  • Nichols 2.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • ECSU B+
  • Nichols B
  • Admissions standards
  • ECSU Average
  • Nichols Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • ECSU
  • Nichols
  • SAT range
  • ECSU 1070-1260
  • Nichols 1028-1236
  • ACT range
  • ECSU
  • Nichols
  • Submit test scores
  • ECSU Test optional
  • Nichols Open admission
  • Application deadline
  • ECSU
  • Nichols
  • Tuition (in state)
  • ECSU $13,928
  • Nichols $42,705
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • ECSU $17,428
  • Nichols $42,705
  • Room & board
  • ECSU $17,445
  • Nichols $15,800
  • Average net price
  • ECSU $21,512
  • Nichols $32,337
  • Average grant aid
  • ECSU $10,480
  • Nichols $25,809
  • % receiving grant aid
  • ECSU 94%
  • Nichols 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • ECSU 49%
  • Nichols 43%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • ECSU $46,400
  • Nichols $51,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • ECSU 68%
  • Nichols 68%
  • Median student loan debt
  • ECSU $23,000
  • Nichols $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • ECSU $237
  • Nichols $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • ECSU 15:1
  • Nichols 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • ECSU
    • Business (16%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • Nichols
    • Business (75%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (12%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
    • Psychology (3%)
    • Education (2%)
  • Location
  • ECSU Willimantic, CT
  • Nichols Dudley, MA
  • Setting
  • ECSU Distant Town
  • Nichols Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • ECSU 4,355
  • Nichols 1,392
  • Type
  • ECSU Public 4 Year
  • Nichols Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • ECSU #547
  • Nichols #855

Comparable Facts

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

Eastern Connecticut State University is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (4,355 students vs. 1,392 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Eastern Connecticut State University is located in Willimantic, CT (Distant Town setting); Nichols College is in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Eastern 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: Eastern Connecticut State University 15:1; Nichols College 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nichols College are 9.4% lower than at Eastern Connecticut State University ($15,800 vs. $17,445).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 145% higher at Nichols than at Eastern Connecticut State University (about $25,277 more per year; $42,705 vs. $17,428).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nichols College than at Eastern Connecticut State University (99% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 146.3% larger than aid received by Eastern Connecticut State University students ($25,809 vs. $10,480).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at ECSU, open admission at Nichols.
  • Enrolled first-year students at ECSU average a 3.4 high school GPA, 0.5 higher than at Nichols (2.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at ECSU vs. 18.1% at Nichols.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Connecticut State University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, ECSU graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($237 vs. $279).
  • More ECSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nichols students, three years after graduation (68% vs. 68%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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