Massachusetts College of Art and Design vs Nichols College
Massachusetts College of Art and Design is a public college in Boston, MA, and Nichols College is a private college in Dudley, MA. Massachusetts College of Art and Design is the more selective of the two, admitting about 76% of applicants against 81% at Nichols College. Massachusetts College of Art and Design is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $24,100 a year against $33,036 at Nichols College. About 69% of students graduate at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, compared with 63% at Nichols College. Ten years after enrolling, Nichols College alumni earn a median of about $58,063, against $43,582 for Massachusetts College of Art and Design.
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Boston, MA
Dudley, MA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
1,831
1,163
Acceptance rate
76%
81%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.41–3.91
3.39–3.89
SAT (middle 50%)
1020–1260
1028–1236
ACT (middle 50%)
Not reported
20–26
Test policy
Test blind
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$24,100
$33,036
Full cost / yr
$34,239
$58,310
In-state tuition
$15,400
$42,705
Out-of-state tuition
$43,400
$42,705
Application fee
$70
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$16,351
$22,054
$30k - $48k
$17,636
$24,749
$48k - $75k
$18,513
$31,978
$75k - $110k
$26,265
$33,851
Over $110k
$31,882
$35,731
Outcomes
Graduation rate
69%
63%
Freshman retention
89%
72%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$27,090
$47,830
Median earnings (10 yr)
$43,582
$58,063
Median debt at graduation
$25,755
$27,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
30%
26%
First-generation students
23%
32%
International students
3%
3%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Dec 1
Not reported
Regular decision
Feb 15
Rolling
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Massachusetts College of Art and Design or Nichols College harder to get into?
- Massachusetts College of Art and Design is harder to get into. It admits about 76% of applicants, compared with 81% at Nichols College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Massachusetts College of Art and Design or Nichols College?
- Massachusetts College of Art and Design is cheaper on average. Students pay about $24,100 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $33,036 at Nichols College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Massachusetts College of Art and Design and Nichols College?
- Before aid, Massachusetts College of Art and Design costs about $34,239 a year and Nichols College about $58,310. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Massachusetts College of Art and Design or Nichols College?
- Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $16,351 there, against about $22,054 at Nichols College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Massachusetts College of Art and Design or Nichols College?
- Massachusetts College of Art and Design is the larger of the two, with about 1,831 undergraduates against 1,163 at Nichols College.
- Does Massachusetts College of Art and Design or Nichols College have a better graduation rate?
- Massachusetts College of Art and Design has the higher graduation rate, at about 69% against 63% at Nichols College.
- Do graduates of Massachusetts College of Art and Design or Nichols College earn more?
- Nichols College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $58,063 ten years after enrolling, against about $43,582 for Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Massachusetts College of Art and Design and Nichols College require SAT or ACT scores?
- Massachusetts College of Art and Design is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Nichols College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Massachusetts College of Art and Design and Nichols College look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1020–1260 at Massachusetts College of Art and Design and 1028–1236 at Nichols College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
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