Southwestern College vs. Nichols

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwestern College in Winfield, KS with Nichols College in Dudley, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Nichols College is larger than Southwestern College based on total student enrollment (1,392 students vs. 1,041 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwestern College is located in Winfield, KS (Distant Town setting); Nichols College is in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Southwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwestern College 10:1; Nichols College 15:1.

Southwestern College vs. Nichols Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwestern College 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 Southwestern College than Nichols ($29,488 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern College are 27.4% lower than at Nichols College ($11,465 vs. $15,800).
• Nichols College is 7.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southwestern College (about $2,883 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $39,822.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.2% higher at Nichols than at Southwestern College (about $2,883 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $39,822.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nichols College than at Southwestern College (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern College students is 12.1% larger than aid received by Nichols College students ($28,936 vs. $25,809).

Southwestern College vs. Nichols Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southwestern College 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 Southwestern College.

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Nichols College (1130) is 70 points higher than at Southwestern College (1060).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwestern College 900/1220; Nichols College 1028/1236.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwestern College 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southwestern College - Test-free; Nichols - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwestern College Aug 22, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southwestern College students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• Nichols has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than Southwestern College (75.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.1% at Southwestern College vs. 18.1% at Nichols.

Southwestern College vs. Nichols Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southwestern College 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).

• Southwestern College's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from Southwestern College earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Nichols graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,100 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwestern College graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($25,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Southwestern College graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($266 vs. $279).
• More Nichols graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwestern College students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 57%)

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.