Nichols vs. Salem State University

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

Nichols College
Salem State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Nichols (80.8% admitted vs 95.9%). Typical SAT 1130 vs 1080.
  • Cheaper after aid: Salem State University. Average net price is $17,541 vs $32,337 at Nichols.
  • Graduation: Nichols 43% vs Salem State University 42%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Nichols $51,800 vs Salem State University $44,400 (median).
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Key differences

Nichols College Salem State University
Acceptance rate
Nichols more selective
Nichols80.8%
Salem State University95.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Nichols higher
Nichols1028-1236
Salem State University990-1160
Average net price
Salem State University $14,796 less
Nichols$32,337
Salem State University$17,541
In-state tuition
Salem State University $30,367 less
Nichols$42,705
Salem State University$12,338
Out-of-state tuition
Salem State University $23,174 less
Nichols$42,705
Salem State University$19,531
Graduation rate
Nichols +1 pts
Nichols43%
Salem State University42%
Median earnings (10 years)
Nichols +$7,400
Nichols$51,800
Salem State University$44,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Nichols 2,296
  • Salem State University 7,953
  • Admitted
  • Nichols 1,856
  • Salem State University 7,625
  • Acceptance rate
  • Nichols 80.8% Open
  • Salem State University 95.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Nichols 18.1% Open
  • Salem State University 11.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Nichols 1130
  • Salem State University 1080
  • Typical ACT score
  • Nichols
  • Salem State University
  • Average high school GPA
  • Nichols 2.9
  • Salem State University 3.17
  • Typical high school grades
  • Nichols B
  • Salem State University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Nichols Moderate
  • Salem State University Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Nichols
  • Salem State University
  • SAT range
  • Nichols 1028-1236
  • Salem State University 990-1160
  • ACT range
  • Nichols
  • Salem State University
  • Submit test scores
  • Nichols Open admission
  • Salem State University Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Nichols
  • Salem State University Jun 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Nichols $42,705
  • Salem State University $12,338
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Nichols $42,705
  • Salem State University $19,531
  • Room & board
  • Nichols $15,800
  • Salem State University $16,838
  • Average net price
  • Nichols $32,337
  • Salem State University $17,541
  • Average grant aid
  • Nichols $25,809
  • Salem State University $10,319
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Nichols 99%
  • Salem State University 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • Nichols 43%
  • Salem State University 42%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Nichols $51,800
  • Salem State University $44,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Nichols 68%
  • Salem State University 63%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Nichols $27,000
  • Salem State University $24,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Nichols $279
  • Salem State University $248
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Nichols 15:1
  • Salem State University 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Nichols
    • Business (75%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (12%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
    • Psychology (3%)
    • Education (2%)
  • Salem State University
    • Business (23%)
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Location
  • Nichols Dudley, MA
  • Salem State University Salem, MA
  • Setting
  • Nichols Rural Fringe
  • Salem State University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Nichols 1,392
  • Salem State University 6,230
  • Type
  • Nichols Private 4 Year
  • Salem State University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Nichols #855
  • Salem State University #779

Comparable Facts

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

Salem State University is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (6,230 students vs. 1,392 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Nichols College is located in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Salem State University is in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Nichols College 15:1; Salem State University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nichols College are 6.2% lower than at Salem State University ($15,800 vs. $16,838).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 118.7% higher at Nichols than at Salem State University (about $23,174 more per year; $42,705 vs. $19,531).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nichols College than at Salem State University (99% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 150.1% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($25,809 vs. $10,319).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are open admission at Nichols, test-free at Salem State University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Salem State University average a 3.17 high school GPA, 0.27 higher than at Nichols (2.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at Nichols vs. 11.3% at Salem State University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem State University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($24,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Salem State University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($248 vs. $279).
  • More Nichols graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation (68% vs. 63%).

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

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