Nichols vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Nichols College in Dudley, MA with Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Nichols College is larger than WLC based on total student enrollment (1,392 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Nichols College is located in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Nichols College 15:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

Nichols vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nichols or WLC? 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 Wisconsin Lutheran College than Nichols ($24,095 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wisconsin Lutheran College are 22.5% lower than at Nichols College ($12,250 vs. $15,800).
• Nichols College is 18.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WLC (about $6,595 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $36,110.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.3% higher at Nichols than at Wisconsin Lutheran College (about $6,595 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $36,110.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than at Nichols College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 4.8% larger than aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students ($25,809 vs. $24,624).

Nichols vs. WLC Admissions comparison

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

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Nichols College (1130) is 30 points higher than at WLC (1100).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nichols College 1028/1236; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nichols - Open admission; WLC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WLC students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• Nichols has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than WLC (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at Nichols vs. 20.2% at WLC.

Nichols vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nichols and WLC? 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).

• Wisconsin Lutheran College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from Nichols College earn a median of about $8,800 more per year than WLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $43,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WLC graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More WLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nichols students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.