Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Nichols College #1363 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 Nichols College in the 55.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Nichols College #757 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Nichols College #1363 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Dudley, MA, Nichols College enrolls roughly 1,163 undergraduates. Retention is 72.5% and the six-year graduation rate is 62.6%, reflecting solid student persistence through degree completion. Where Nichols College performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Nichols College #757 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $64,532, and Nichols College sits in the 55.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's business-focused program portfolio — with Business as the dominant field — aligns directly with employer demand and early-career earning potential. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Nichols College sits in the 11.7 percentile for access and the 8.9 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. 25.5% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 31.6% are first-generation college students, reflecting a more selective enrollment profile typical of private master's institutions. For students admitted to Nichols College, the institution's career-focused curriculum and strong employer relationships in the Northeast support the earnings outcomes that anchor its composite strength.
Nichols College's published cost of attendance is $58,310. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $22,054, middle-income families pay around $31,978, and higher-income families pay approximately $35,731. Azimuth ranks Nichols College #1298 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Nichols College participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Most first-year students receive need-based aid packages that reduce the published cost substantially. The college's aid structure is need-based, with merit scholarships available for qualifying students; families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $34,934; 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 Nichols College's median four-year earnings of $64,532, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Nichols College is a strong fit for students interested in business and related applied fields who want a private college experience in MA, Northeast. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $64,532, placing Nichols College in the 64.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Nichols College in the 55.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a meaningful share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 25.5% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 31.6% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place Nichols College in the 72.4 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions, a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 80.8% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Business — students interested in these fields will find strong outcomes.
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 Nichols College 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.
Nichols College's published cost of attendance is $58,310. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $22,054, middle-income families pay around $31,978, and higher-income families pay approximately $35,731.
Azimuth ranks Nichols College #1298 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Nichols College participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Most first-year students receive need-based aid packages that reduce the published cost substantially.
The college's aid structure is need-based, with merit scholarships available for qualifying students; families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $34,934; 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 Nichols College's median four-year earnings of $64,532, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 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 Nichols College earn median 4-year earnings of $64,532, placing Nichols College in the 64.3 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 Nichols College in the 55.9 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Nichols College #757 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Nichols College's concentration in business and professional fields.
Business/Commerce, General is the largest program with 70 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $62,926, performing at 0.9x the national benchmark for the field. The Kinesiology program graduates 51 students with median 4-year earnings of $53,531, and Accounting delivers median 4-year earnings of $78,894 across 36 graduates.
These programs anchor Nichols College's return story, with Business representing the institution's primary academic focus and driving consistent outcomes for graduates entering professional and managerial careers.
Finance and Financial Management Services
20 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
36 graduates
Criminal Justice and Corrections
32 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
23 graduates
Business/Commerce, General
70 graduates
Nichols College's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's identity as a career-focused private college. Business/Commerce, General is the largest program with 70 graduates, followed by Kinesiology, Accounting, Criminal Justice, and Digital Marketing.
The Business concentration — represented by Business at 64% of graduates — positions the college squarely in the applied-professional space, with Social Sciences at 32% providing complementary depth. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in business and finance-adjacent fields.
Finance leads with median earnings of $81,485 four years after enrollment from 20 graduates, followed by Accounting at $78,894 and Criminal Justice at $75,321. Business Administration and Business/Commerce, General round out the highest-earning programs, each delivering solid mid-career pay.
These outcomes reflect Nichols College's positioning as a business-first institution where employer recruitment and internship placement align directly with the college's program portfolio. The college's program signature — concentrated in business, accounting, and professional management fields — creates a coherent labor-market story.
Graduates enter stable, in-demand sectors where early-career earnings translate into long-term financial security. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these business-focused pathways align with national hiring trends and wage growth in professional services and management roles.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bryn Mawr College Similar quality tier in Northeast (#36060 ranked) | PA | 29% | $75,217 | #36060 | Compare |
Cornell College Similar quality tier (#36064 ranked) | IA | 80% | $53,460 | #36064 | Compare |
Campbellsville University Similar quality tier (#36054 ranked) | KY | 80% | $41,583 | #36054 | Compare |
Carroll College Similar quality tier (#36066 ranked) | MT | 71% | $61,772 | #36066 | Compare |
Lancaster Bible College Similar quality tier in Northeast (#36067 ranked) | PA | 56% | $44,096 | #36067 | Compare |
