Nichols College
- Graduation Rate
- 63% C+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $58,063 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $33,036 F
- 93% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 81% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 11.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $11.2 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $11.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,346,513.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Earnings 42% above the national college median.
-
Social mobility rate of 2.33% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
-
Every $1 invested returns $11.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Nichols College Matters
Nichols College is a private university in Dudley, MA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,163
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Communications
Why students choose Nichols College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 81% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1028–1236. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $33,036 a year after grants and scholarships — 93% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $58,063 ten years after enrolling — 42% above the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.3% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 20% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.77 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Nichols College is a solid choice for students interested in practical, career-oriented programs like Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice, Psychology, and Communications. With an acceptance rate of 81%, it’s accessible to many students looking for a supportive environment where they can focus on their studies and prepare for their future careers. The college has a tight-knit community, which can help students feel more engaged and connected to their education.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $58,063 within ten years. This figure gives us a glimpse into the potential financial outcomes for graduates, suggesting that the education received here can lead to stable job opportunities. The affordability of attending Nichols is also noteworthy, making it a viable option for those who may be concerned about student debt.
When it comes to finances, the net price after aid stands at $33,036, which is manageable compared to the median debt of $27,000. This means that while students do take on some debt, it’s not overwhelming for most. Students who thrive at Nichols tend to be proactive, seek out opportunities for growth, and are focused on entering fields where they can make a tangible impact.
Rankings
- #15 Best Business Colleges in Massachusetts
- #20 Best MBA Programs in Massachusetts
- #21 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Massachusetts
- #41 Best Psychology Colleges in Massachusetts
- #43 Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts
- #46 Best Bachelor's Programs in Massachusetts
- #47 Best Master's Programs in Massachusetts
Can I Get In?
How selective Nichols College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Nichols College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Dudley, Massachusetts, Nichols College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 81%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,140. The graduation rate is roughly 63%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 81%
- Retention Rate
- 72%
- SAT Average
- 1140
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- SAT Range
- 1028–1236
- Full-Time Faculty
- 35%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,714
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.45
- First-Gen Students
- 32%
- Applicants
- 2,358
- Admitted
- 2,001
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Nichols College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Nichols College is $42,705, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $33,036. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $22,054 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $42,705
- Out-of-State
- $42,705
- Avg Net Price
- $33,036
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 26%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 69%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $22,054
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $24,749
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $31,978
- Family Income $110K+
- $35,731
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Nichols College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Nichols College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Nichols College earn a median of $58,063, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $47,830
- 8 Years
- $48,868
- 10 Years
- $58,063
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.47x
- Earning > $25K
- 72%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (204)
- 51%
- 100% (204)
- 51%
- 100% (204)
- 51%
- 100% (204)
- 51%
How Nichols Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Nichols College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Nichols College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $33,036/year ($132,144 total). Graduates earn $58,063 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,478,657 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,346,513 (11.2× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 63% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $132,144
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,478,657
- Net Return
- $1,346,513
- ROI Multiple
- 11.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $33,036
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 63%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Nichols College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Nichols College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.33%, among the highest in the country. About 4.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 52.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $95,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.33%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 52.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.5%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $129,479
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,663,387
- Investment Income
- $-5,393,870
Top Programs
The fields Nichols College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 61% $66,496 early-career
- Criminal Justice 9% $47,206 early-career
- Psychology 7% $35,271 early-career
- Communications 3%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Nichols College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CTraining Manager$125,040 · 6% growthResilient 74
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Nichols College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Dudley, Massachusetts, Nichols College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 81%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,140. The graduation rate is roughly 63%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Nichols College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Nichols College is $42,705, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $33,036. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $22,054 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is Nichols College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Nichols College earn a median of $58,063, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Nichols College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Nichols College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.33%, among the highest in the country. About 4.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 52.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $95,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Nichols College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Nichols College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.77, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Nichols College.
- Saint Joseph's College of MaineStandish, ME · Close peer67% grad $59,045 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Juniata CollegeHuntingdon, PA · Close peer71% grad $56,918 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Queens University of CharlotteCharlotte, NC · Close peer64% grad $57,673 earn 62% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Otis College of Art and DesignLos Angeles, CA · Close peer64% grad $58,152 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- William Jessup UniversityRocklin, CA · Close peer58% grad $56,257 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Morningside UniversitySioux City, IA · Close peer52% grad $55,494 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Nichols College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Nichols College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.77, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note