Nichols vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Nichols College in Dudley, MA with West Chester University of Pennsylvania in West Chester, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 1,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Nichols College is located in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Nichols College 15:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

Nichols vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nichols or WCU? 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania than Nichols ($22,546 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 6.2% lower than at Nichols College ($14,828 vs. $15,800).
• Nichols College is 296.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $31,930 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 89% higher at Nichols than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $20,106 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nichols College than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (99% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 352.1% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($25,809 vs. $5,709).

Nichols vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 60 points higher than at Nichols (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nichols College 1028/1236; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nichols - Open admission; WCU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• Nichols has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at Nichols vs. 22.4% at WCU.

Nichols vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nichols and WCU? 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).

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from Nichols College earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nichols students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.