Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Nicholls State University #582 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Nicholls State University in the 54.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Nicholls State University #1016 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Nicholls State University #582 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public master's university in Thibodaux, Louisiana, Nicholls State University enrolls roughly 4,737 undergraduates. Retention is 76.6% and the six-year graduation rate is 53.8%, reflecting solid completion rates for a regional public institution. Where Nicholls State University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Nicholls State University #1016 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $51,767. They earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Nicholls State University in the 54.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects the institution's strength in business and related fields, which dominate the degree portfolio and connect graduates directly into regional labor markets. Access and affordability anchor the composite as well. Nicholls State University serves 34.1% Pell-eligible undergraduates and 45.8% first-generation college students, positioning it in the 56.5 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution sits in the 81.1 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting a public tuition structure and broad financial-aid reach. For students seeking strong long-term earnings at an accessible price point in a regional setting, Nicholls State University delivers reliable outcomes grounded in practical, career-focused programming.
Nicholls State University's published cost of attendance is $23,481. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation across family circumstances: low-income families pay approximately $10,714, mid-low-income families pay around $10,527, middle-income families pay about $12,139, mid-high-income families pay approximately $16,784, and higher-income families pay roughly $17,954. Azimuth ranks Nicholls State University #270 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The affordability rank reflects both the institution's tuition structure as a public regional university and the debt load graduates carry into their careers. Nicholls State's financial aid reaches a broad share of the student body through federal, state, and institutional programs. Need-based aid is the primary mechanism, with students applying through the FAFSA to access Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and institutional scholarships. The net-price figures above represent medians within each income band; individual aid packages vary based on demonstrated financial need and other institutional criteria, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $22,675, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $11,428; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $51,767, median federal debt of $22,675 projects to a monthly payment of about $256 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Nicholls State University is a regional public university in Thibodaux, LA that serves students interested in business, education, and applied fields — a good fit for those seeking a smaller-campus experience with strong ties to LA's local labor markets. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $51,767, placing Nicholls State University in the 11.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 54.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 34.1% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 45.8% are first-generation. Published cost of attendance is $17,954, and low-income families pay a net price of approximately $17,954 after need-based aid. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix favors business and education fields, and earnings trajectories track LA's regional labor market. Students whose interests align with those areas and who plan to stay in the region will find Nicholls State University provides a strong pathway to local careers.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Nicholls State University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Nicholls State University's published cost of attendance is $23,481. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation across family circumstances: low-income families pay approximately $10,714, mid-low-income families pay around $10,527, middle-income families pay about $12,139, mid-high-income families pay approximately $16,784, and higher-income families pay roughly $17,954.
Azimuth ranks Nicholls State University #270 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The affordability rank reflects both the institution's tuition structure as a public regional university and the debt load graduates carry into their careers.
Nicholls State's financial aid reaches a broad share of the student body through federal, state, and institutional programs. Need-based aid is the primary mechanism, with students applying through the FAFSA to access Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and institutional scholarships.
The net-price figures above represent medians within each income band; individual aid packages vary based on demonstrated financial need and other institutional criteria, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $22,675, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $11,428; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $51,767, median federal debt of $22,675 projects to a monthly payment of about $256 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Nicholls State University earn median 4-year earnings of $51,767, placing Nicholls State University in the 11.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Nicholls State University in the 54.3 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Nicholls State University #1016 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Nicholls State University's concentration in business and applied professional fields.
Business Administration is the largest program with 142 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $54,927, at 0.8x the national benchmark for the field. The Nursing program graduates 135 students earning $79,428, and the The Interdisciplinary Studies program graduates 128 students earning $43,992.
These three programs anchor the institution's economic profile, with Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General and Psychology, General rounding out the top five by scale and earnings. The concentration in Business — representing 25% of degrees — combined with meaningful enrollment in Education and Arts fields, positions Nicholls State University to deliver consistent outcomes for students pursuing stable, in-demand careers in Louisiana's regional labor market.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
135 graduates
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians
15 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
37 graduates
Management Information Systems and Services
30 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
142 graduates
Nicholls State University's program mix is anchored in business and applied professional fields, reflecting the institution's regional workforce focus. Business Administration is the largest program with 142 graduates, followed by Nursing, Interdisciplinary Studies, Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General, and Psychology, General.
Across 27 programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, with several delivering solid earnings outcomes aligned with Louisiana's regional labor market. The strongest earnings come from Nursing, where graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $79,428 from a cohort of 135 students.
Accounting follows with median earnings of $66,499, and Business Administration delivers median earnings of $54,927. These programs represent the institution's highest-return pathways, where graduates move directly into stable careers with competitive regional pay.
Business Administration, the largest program by enrollment, earns median 4-year earnings of $54,927, demonstrating that scale and earnings strength align in the institution's core offering. The program portfolio reflects Business as the dominant concentration, supporting students into applied professional roles in accounting, management, and related fields where regional employer demand remains steady.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Nicholls State University's dominant program families align with Louisiana's workforce needs and broader national labor-market trends.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alcorn State University Similar quality tier (#15766 ranked) | MS | 45% | $36,421 | #15766 | Compare |
Winona State University Similar quality tier (#15773 ranked) | MN | 75% | $58,532 | #15773 | Compare |
Missouri State University-Springfield Similar quality tier (#15751 ranked) | MO | 91% | $49,827 | #15751 | Compare |
University Of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Similar quality tier (#15781 ranked) | WI | 87% | $55,548 | #15781 | Compare |
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks Similar quality tier (#15745 ranked) | PA | 99% | $63,435 | #15745 | Compare |
