NNU vs. Nichols

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, ID with Nichols College in Dudley, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwest Nazarene University is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (1,635 students vs. 1,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwest Nazarene University is located in Nampa, ID (Small City setting); Nichols College is in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Northwest Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwest Nazarene University 14:1; Nichols College 15:1.

NNU vs. Nichols Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NNU or Nichols? 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 Northwest Nazarene University than Nichols ($30,178 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest Nazarene University are 23.6% lower than at Nichols College ($12,070 vs. $15,800).
• Nichols College is 4.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than NNU (about $1,911 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $40,794.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at Nichols than at Northwest Nazarene University (about $1,911 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $40,794.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwest Nazarene University as at Nichols College (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 2.6% larger than aid received by Northwest Nazarene University students ($25,809 vs. $25,146).

NNU vs. Nichols Admissions comparison

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

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Nichols College (1130) is 10 points higher than at NNU (1120).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwest Nazarene University 1005/1240; Nichols College 1028/1236.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwest Nazarene University 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NNU - Open admission; Nichols - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: NNU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NNU students have a 0.69 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• Nichols has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than NNU (64.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.9% at NNU vs. 18.1% at Nichols.

NNU vs. Nichols Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NNU and Nichols? 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).

• Northwest Nazarene University's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from Nichols College earn a median of about $8,800 more per year than NNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $43,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwest Nazarene University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, NNU graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Nichols graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NNU students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 66%)

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.