What is the acceptance rate at Nicholls State University?

Nicholls State University's acceptance rate is approximately 91% (Thibodaux, LA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.

What SAT score do you need for Nicholls State University?

Admitted students at Nicholls State University typically score 934–1196 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.

How much does Nicholls State University cost?

At Nicholls State University, the average net price (after aid) is about $12,947 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.

How many undergraduates attend Nicholls State University?

Nicholls State University enrolls approximately 4,737 undergraduate students.

Where is Nicholls State University located?

Nicholls State University is located in Thibodaux, LA.

Nicholls State University: Acceptance Rate, SAT & Cost — QuantAdmit

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Nicholls State University

Thibodaux, LApublicwww.nicholls.edu/

Acceptance

91%

SAT 25–75

934–1196

Avg net price

$12,947

Earnings (10 yr)

$45,454

Graduation rate

54%

Admit rate has ranged 88%–98% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.

Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.

Nicholls State University is a public institution in Thibodaux, Louisiana, where Cajun culture infuses campus life and academics. With an acceptance rate hovering around 90%, Nicholls is accessible yet punches above its weight in culinary arts, nursing, and business programs. Its rural setting and family-oriented vibe make it a tight-knit community where nearly all students receive financial aid.

Admission requirements

Test scores required

Required

High school transcript
Grade point average
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)

Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.

More details

Undergrad enrollment: 4,737
In-state tuition: $8,149
Out-of-state tuition: $9,242
Acceptance Rate: 83-97%
Graduation Rate: 54%
Most Popular Majors: Psychology, Biology, Culinary Arts
Student Organizations: 100+
Median Early-Career Salary: $36,427

Outcomes & value

Median earnings (10 yr): $45,454
Value (earnings ÷ net price): 3.5×
Median debt at graduation: $22,675
Graduation rate: 54%
First-year retention: 77%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr): 68%
Pell (lower-income) share: 63%
First-generation share: 46%
Endowment / student

Top-earning majors

Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.

Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians$73,446
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$60,030
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians$52,733
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$39,286
Management Information Systems and Services$37,779

Campus & location

Campus safety

On-campus violent crimes (2024): 0
Per 1,000 students: 0.00

On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.

Climate

Pleasant days / yr: 109
Summer high: 89°F
Winter low: 49°F
Annual rain: 71.3"
Natural-hazard risk: Relatively Moderate

Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.

Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility

Research output

Institutional h-index: 99
Scholarly works: 1,558

Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.

Economic mobility

Mobility rate: 2.9%
Bottom → top quintile: 19%
From bottom quintile: 15%

Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.

Quick answers

What is the acceptance rate at Nicholls State University?: Nicholls State University's acceptance rate is approximately 91% (Thibodaux, LA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Nicholls State University?: Admitted students at Nicholls State University typically score 934–1196 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Nicholls State University cost?: At Nicholls State University, the average net price (after aid) is about $12,947 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Nicholls State University?: Nicholls State University enrolls approximately 4,737 undergraduate students.
Where is Nicholls State University located?: Nicholls State University is located in Thibodaux, LA.

Admissions

Nicholls State University is one of the least selective public universities in Louisiana, with ranging from 83% to 97% across different reports. The middle 50% of admitted students typically score between 18-24 on the ACT or 1060 on the SAT, though applicants can also qualify with a minimum 2.35 high school GPA. Notably, the university explicitly states that developmental English or math coursework won't disqualify applicants—a rarity among four-year institutions.

bigfuture.collegeboard.org usnews.com prepscholar.com nicholls.edu acceptancerate.com thoughtco.com

Academics

Nicholls offers over 100 programs, with particular strengths in hands-on fields like culinary arts (home to Louisiana's only accredited bachelor's program in the discipline), nursing, and business. Psychology and biology are the most popular majors, collectively accounting for 10% of degrees awarded. The university emphasizes practical learning—its culinary institute operates a student-run restaurant, while nursing students train at regional hospitals. General education requirements ensure all graduates complete coursework across disciplines, though the 54% graduation rate suggests academic support systems could be strengthened.