TU vs. Nichols

Comparable Facts

Compare Towson University in Towson, MD with Nichols College in Dudley, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Towson University is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 1,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

TU vs. Nichols Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU 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 Towson University than Nichols ($16,653 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nichols College are 2.8% lower than at Towson University ($15,800 vs. $16,260).
• Nichols College is 264.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than TU (about $30,977 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $11,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.2% higher at Nichols than at Towson University (about $12,885 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $29,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nichols College than at Towson University (99% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 118.4% larger than aid received by Towson University students ($25,809 vs. $11,820).

TU vs. Nichols Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TU 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 TU.

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Nichols College (1130) is 40 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 950/1235; Nichols College 1028/1236.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Test optional; Nichols - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TU students have a 0.79 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• TU has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than Nichols (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 18.1% at Nichols.

TU vs. Nichols Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU 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).

• Towson University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Nichols College's (43%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Nichols graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $9,250 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($17,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($183 vs. $279).
• More TU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nichols students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.