Nichols vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

Compare Nichols College in Dudley, MA with Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wilkes University is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (5,381 students vs. 1,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Nichols College is located in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Nichols College 15:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

Nichols vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nichols or Wilkes? 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 Wilkes University than Nichols ($28,511 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nichols College are 2.3% lower than at Wilkes University ($15,800 vs. $16,166).
• Wilkes University is 1.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nichols (about $791 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $42,705.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at Wilkes than at Nichols College (about $791 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $42,705.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at Nichols College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 9.7% larger than aid received by Nichols College students ($28,324 vs. $25,809).

Nichols vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

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

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wilkes University (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; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nichols - Open admission; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Wilkes students have a 0.66 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than Nichols (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at Nichols vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

Nichols vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nichols and Wilkes? 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).

• Wilkes University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than Nichols graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wilkes University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wilkes graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Wilkes 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.