Head-to-head · 2026
Nicholls State University vs University of Louisiana at Monroe
Compare average net price ($12,947 at Nicholls State University; $13,466 at University of Louisiana at Monroe), ROI score (8.78 vs 8.68), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($45,454 vs $46,769), and admissions selectivity (90.8% acceptance at Nicholls State University; 84.8% at University of Louisiana at Monroe) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Nicholls State University | University of Louisiana at Monroe |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.78 ✓ | 8.68 |
| Avg net price | $12,947 ✓ | $13,466 |
| 4-year avg net price | $51,788 ✓ | $53,864 |
| In-state tuition | $8,149 | $9,190 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $9,242 | $21,290 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $45,454 | $46,769 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 90.8% | 84.8% |
| Graduation rate | 53.8% | 54.2% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 76.6% ✓ | 72.8% |
| Median debt | $22,675 | $21,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 4,737 | 5,022 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1090 | 1116 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Nicholls State University | University of Louisiana at Monroe |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $10,714 ✓ | $11,490 |
| Family income $30–48k | $10,527 ✓ | $11,553 |
| Family income $48–75k | $12,139 ✓ | $12,647 |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,784 ✓ | $17,003 |
| Family income $110k+ | $17,954 ✓ | $18,642 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Nicholls State University | University of Louisiana at Monroe |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 12.8% | 8.4% |
| Psychology, General | 6.1% | 13.5% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 12.4% | 6.4% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 5.7% | 4.7% |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 3.1% | 4% |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 2.2% | 4.5% |
| Biology, General | 3.3% | 3.1% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 2.9% | 2.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Nicholls State University reports the lower average net price by $519 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $2,076 difference over four years ($51,788 vs $53,864).
University of Louisiana at Monroe reports $1,315 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($46,769 vs $45,454). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 76.6% at Nicholls State University and 72.8% at University of Louisiana at Monroe. Median federal debt among completers is $22,675 vs $21,500, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Nicholls State University vs University of Louisiana at Monroe, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Nicholls State University is cheaper — average net price $12,947 per year vs $13,466 at University of Louisiana at Monroe. The annual difference of $519 adds up to about $2,076 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Louisiana at Monroe reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $46,769 vs $45,454 at Nicholls State University. The gap in the federal data is $1,315. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Louisiana at Monroe is more selective at 84.8% acceptance vs 90.8% at Nicholls State University.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.