Mount St. Mary's University vs. Nichols

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, MD with Nichols College in Dudley, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mount St. Mary's University is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (2,408 students vs. 1,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount St. Mary's University is located in Emmitsburg, MD (Rural Fringe setting); Nichols College is in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Mount St. Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount St. Mary's University 13:1; Nichols College 15:1.

Mount St. Mary's University vs. Nichols Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount St. Mary's University 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 Mount St. Mary's University than Nichols ($23,027 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount St. Mary's University are 4.7% lower than at Nichols College ($15,050 vs. $15,800).
• Mount St. Mary's University is 13.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nichols (about $5,925 more per year; $48,630.00 vs. $42,705.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.9% higher at Mount St. Mary's University than at Nichols College (about $5,925 more per year; $48,630.00 vs. $42,705.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount St. Mary's University than at Nichols College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount St. Mary's University students is 57.4% larger than aid received by Nichols College students ($40,619 vs. $25,809).

Mount St. Mary's University vs. Nichols Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mount St. Mary's University 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 Mount St. Mary's University.

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mount St. Mary's University (1160) is 30 points higher than at Nichols (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount St. Mary's University 1046/1280; Nichols College 1028/1236.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount St. Mary's University 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount St. Mary's University - Test optional; Nichols - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount St. Mary's University Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mount St. Mary's University students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• Nichols has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than Mount St. Mary's University (73.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at Mount St. Mary's University vs. 18.1% at Nichols.

Mount St. Mary's University vs. Nichols Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount St. Mary's University 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).

• Mount St. Mary's University's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from Mount St. Mary's University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Nichols graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,100 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount St. Mary's University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mount St. Mary's University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Mount St. Mary's University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nichols students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 68%)

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.