Fitchburg State vs. Nichols

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

Fitchburg State University
Nichols College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Nichols (80.8% admitted vs 86.9%). Typical SAT 1130 vs 1150.
  • Cheaper after aid: Fitchburg State. Average net price is $15,340 vs $32,337 at Nichols.
  • Graduation: Fitchburg State 47% vs Nichols 43%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Fitchburg State $44,000 vs Nichols $51,800 (median).
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Key differences

Fitchburg State University Nichols College
Acceptance rate
Nichols more selective
Fitchburg State86.9%
Nichols80.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Nichols higher
Fitchburg State1060-1230
Nichols1028-1236
Average net price
Fitchburg State $16,997 less
Fitchburg State$15,340
Nichols$32,337
In-state tuition
Fitchburg State $31,359 less
Fitchburg State$11,346
Nichols$42,705
Out-of-state tuition
Fitchburg State $25,279 less
Fitchburg State$17,426
Nichols$42,705
Graduation rate
Fitchburg State +4 pts
Fitchburg State47%
Nichols43%
Median earnings (10 years)
Nichols +$7,800
Fitchburg State$44,000
Nichols$51,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Fitchburg State 4,582
  • Nichols 2,296
  • Admitted
  • Fitchburg State 3,983
  • Nichols 1,856
  • Acceptance rate
  • Fitchburg State 86.9%
  • Nichols 80.8% Open
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Fitchburg State 13.5%
  • Nichols 18.1% Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • Fitchburg State 1150
  • Nichols 1130
  • Typical ACT score
  • Fitchburg State
  • Nichols
  • Average high school GPA
  • Fitchburg State 3.29
  • Nichols 2.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Fitchburg State B+
  • Nichols B
  • Admissions standards
  • Fitchburg State Moderate
  • Nichols Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Fitchburg State
  • Nichols
  • SAT range
  • Fitchburg State 1060-1230
  • Nichols 1028-1236
  • ACT range
  • Fitchburg State
  • Nichols
  • Submit test scores
  • Fitchburg State Test optional
  • Nichols Open admission
  • Application deadline
  • Fitchburg State
  • Nichols
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Fitchburg State $11,346
  • Nichols $42,705
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Fitchburg State $17,426
  • Nichols $42,705
  • Room & board
  • Fitchburg State $15,452
  • Nichols $15,800
  • Average net price
  • Fitchburg State $15,340
  • Nichols $32,337
  • Average grant aid
  • Fitchburg State $11,539
  • Nichols $25,809
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Fitchburg State 92%
  • Nichols 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Fitchburg State 47%
  • Nichols 43%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Fitchburg State $44,000
  • Nichols $51,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Fitchburg State 65%
  • Nichols 68%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Fitchburg State $22,685
  • Nichols $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Fitchburg State $234
  • Nichols $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Fitchburg State 11:1
  • Nichols 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • Fitchburg State
    • General Studies (16%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
  • Nichols
    • Business (75%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (12%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
    • Psychology (3%)
    • Education (2%)
  • Location
  • Fitchburg State Fitchburg, MA
  • Nichols Dudley, MA
  • Setting
  • Fitchburg State Midsize Suburban
  • Nichols Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Fitchburg State 5,892
  • Nichols 1,392
  • Type
  • Fitchburg State Public 4 Year
  • Nichols Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Fitchburg State #573
  • Nichols #855

Comparable Facts

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

Fitchburg State University is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 1,392 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); Nichols College is in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Fitchburg State University 11:1; Nichols College 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 2.2% lower than at Nichols College ($15,452 vs. $15,800).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 145.1% higher at Nichols than at Fitchburg State University (about $25,279 more per year; $42,705 vs. $17,426).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nichols College than at Fitchburg State University (99% vs. 92%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 123.7% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($25,809 vs. $11,539).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Fitchburg State, open admission at Nichols.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Fitchburg State average a 3.29 high school GPA, 0.39 higher than at Nichols (2.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 18.1% at Nichols.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $4,315 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($22,685 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($234 vs. $279).
  • More Nichols graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fitchburg State students, three years after graduation (68% vs. 65%).

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

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