Nichols vs. KSC

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

Nichols College
Keene State College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Nichols (80.8% admitted vs 90.3%). Typical SAT 1130 vs 1070.
  • Cheaper after aid: KSC. Average net price is $19,997 vs $32,337 at Nichols.
  • Graduation: Nichols 43% vs KSC 57%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Nichols $51,800 vs KSC $44,400 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Nichols College Keene State College
Acceptance rate
Nichols more selective
Nichols80.8%
KSC90.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Nichols higher
Nichols1028-1236
KSC970-1170
Average net price
KSC $12,340 less
Nichols$32,337
KSC$19,997
In-state tuition
KSC $27,921 less
Nichols$42,705
KSC$14,784
Out-of-state tuition
KSC $15,865 less
Nichols$42,705
KSC$26,840
Graduation rate
KSC +14 pts
Nichols43%
KSC57%
Median earnings (10 years)
Nichols +$7,400
Nichols$51,800
KSC$44,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Nichols and KSC with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Nichols Check my chances at KSC
  • Applied
  • Nichols 2,296
  • KSC 5,314
  • Admitted
  • Nichols 1,856
  • KSC 4,800
  • Acceptance rate
  • Nichols 80.8% Open
  • KSC 90.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Nichols 18.1% Open
  • KSC 14.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Nichols 1130
  • KSC 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • Nichols
  • KSC 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • Nichols 2.9
  • KSC 3.1
  • Typical high school grades
  • Nichols B
  • KSC B
  • Admissions standards
  • Nichols Moderate
  • KSC Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Nichols
  • KSC
  • SAT range
  • Nichols 1028-1236
  • KSC 970-1170
  • ACT range
  • Nichols
  • KSC 24-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Nichols Open admission
  • KSC Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Nichols
  • KSC Dec 1, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Nichols $42,705
  • KSC $14,784
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Nichols $42,705
  • KSC $26,840
  • Room & board
  • Nichols $15,800
  • KSC $13,766
  • Average net price
  • Nichols $32,337
  • KSC $19,997
  • Average grant aid
  • Nichols $25,809
  • KSC $12,302
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Nichols 99%
  • KSC 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Nichols 43%
  • KSC 57%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Nichols $51,800
  • KSC $44,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Nichols 68%
  • KSC 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Nichols $27,000
  • KSC $26,295
  • Median loan payment
  • Nichols $279
  • KSC $271
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Nichols 15:1
  • KSC 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • Nichols
    • Business (75%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (12%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
    • Psychology (3%)
    • Education (2%)
  • KSC
    • Education (16%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Nichols Dudley, MA
  • KSC Keene, NH
  • Setting
  • Nichols Rural Fringe
  • KSC Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Nichols 1,392
  • KSC 2,848
  • Type
  • Nichols Private 4 Year
  • KSC Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Nichols #855
  • KSC #769

Comparable Facts

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

Keene State College is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (2,848 students vs. 1,392 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Nichols College is located in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Keene State College is in Keene, NH (Distant Town setting).
  • Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Keene State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Nichols College 15:1; Keene State College 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Keene State College are 12.9% lower than at Nichols College ($13,766 vs. $15,800).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 59.1% higher at Nichols than at Keene State College (about $15,865 more per year; $42,705 vs. $26,840).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Keene State College than at Nichols College (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 109.8% larger than aid received by Keene State College students ($25,809 vs. $12,302).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are open admission at Nichols, test-free at KSC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: KSC Dec 1, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at KSC average a 3.1 high school GPA, 0.2 higher than at Nichols (2.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at Nichols vs. 14.5% at KSC.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Keene State College graduates have a $705 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($26,295 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, KSC graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($271 vs. $279).
  • More KSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nichols students, three years after graduation (76% vs. 68%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Nichols College
Keene State College
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges