Nichols vs. Saint Benedict

Comparable Facts

Compare Nichols College in Dudley, MA with College of Saint Benedict in Saint Joseph, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of Saint Benedict is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (1,429 students vs. 1,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Nichols College is located in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting); College of Saint Benedict is in Saint Joseph, MN (Small Suburban setting).
• Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Saint Benedict is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Nichols College 15:1; College of Saint Benedict 11:1.

Nichols vs. Saint Benedict Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nichols or Saint Benedict? 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 College of Saint Benedict than Nichols ($28,400 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Saint Benedict are 20.6% lower than at Nichols College ($12,550 vs. $15,800).
• College of Saint Benedict is 30.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nichols (about $13,051 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $42,705.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.6% higher at Saint Benedict than at Nichols College (about $13,051 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $42,705.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Saint Benedict than at Nichols College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Saint Benedict students is 55.2% larger than aid received by Nichols College students ($40,048 vs. $25,809).

Nichols vs. Saint Benedict Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Nichols or Saint Benedict? 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 Saint Benedict and Nichols.

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Saint Benedict (1140) is 10 points higher than at Nichols (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nichols College 1028/1236; College of Saint Benedict 1048/1233.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCollege of Saint Benedict 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nichols - Open admission; Saint Benedict - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Saint Benedict students have a 0.82 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• Saint Benedict has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than Nichols (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at Nichols vs. 21.6% at Saint Benedict.

Nichols vs. Saint Benedict Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nichols and Saint Benedict? 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).

• College of Saint Benedict's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from College of Saint Benedict earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Nichols graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Saint Benedict graduates have a $657 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($26,343 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Saint Benedict graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($272 vs. $279).
• More Saint Benedict graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nichols students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.