Nichols College vs Rivier University
Nichols College and Rivier University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Nichols College, a private business-focused college in Dudley, Massachusetts, boasts a 90% acceptance rate and a student body of over 2,000 undergraduates. Rivier University, a private Catholic university in Nashua, New Hampshire, has a slightly lower acceptance rate of 85% and a more diverse student body of over 2,500 undergraduates. While Nichols College excels in business and management programs, Rivier University offers a wider range of majors, including nursing, education, and social work. Both institutions offer competitive graduation rates, with Nichols College at 80% and Rivier University at 78%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these two exceptional universities and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Nichols College |
![]() Rivier University |
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Overview |
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Location | Dudley, Massachusetts | Nashua, New Hampshire |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 74.0% | 80.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 84.8% | 83.7% |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | 970 - 1160 | N/A |
ACT range | 20 - 26 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 13.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 2.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 2,193 | 1,838 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,859 | 1,538 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 316 | 319 |
Yield rate | 17.0% | 20.7% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $48,400 | $55,292 |
Average net price | $28,184 | $26,870 |
Tuition | $36,050 | $34,412 |
Room & board | $13,950 |
Room/dormitory:
$7,746
Meal plan:
$6,526
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $24,624 |
100.0%
Average amount $20,799 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
93.0%
Average amount $6,086 |
83.0%
Average amount $5,493 |
Students taking out private loans |
17.0%
Average amount $19,280 |
19.0%
Average amount $14,815 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,207
Men 66.4% Women 33.6% |
1,454
Men 23.0% Women 77.0% |
Graduate students |
227
Men 65.6% Women 34.4% |
970
Men 23.7% Women 76.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 3.0% | N/A |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 890 | 408 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 57.6% | 60.4% |
Dropout rate | 40.2% | 36.3% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
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