All schools
PublicUrban

Nicholls State University

Thibodaux, Louisiana 70310

Visit website

Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

UrbanGreek lifeSports culture

Known for health sciences — excellent value

Nicholls State University is a public institution in Thibodaux with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 1088, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 4.8K undergraduates with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

54% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $45,454 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $12,091.

Established
1948
Motto
People Creating Possibilities
Type
Public university
Division
Division I

Plan Your Visit

96%Acceptance
1088SAT Avg
4,772Students
17:1Student:Faculty
54%Grad Rate
$45,454Earnings 10yr
$12,091Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate96.0%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1088

Reading & WritingMid: 563
490600
MathMid: 571
438545

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 23
1824

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$8,173
Tuition (out-of-state)$9,266
Room & Board$10,938
Books & Supplies$1,300
Total Cost of Attendance$21,519
Average Net Price$12,091
Median Debt at Graduation$22,675
Monthly Payment (10yr)$240

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$8,822
$30–48K$10,582
$48–75K$12,659
$75–110K$15,504
$110K+$15,799

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

57.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

0.5%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$13,156

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

36

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

9

Burglary

2

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

3

Motor Vehicle Theft

4

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

10

Drug Arrests

7

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (54)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

77%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
4,772
Gender Split
63% / 37%
Women / Men
First Generation
46%
Pell Grant Recipients
35%

Race & Ethnicity

White 65%
Black 18%
Hispanic 6%
Asian 2%
Two+ 3%
Int'l 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate54.3%
Freshman Retention76.6%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$38,829
10 Years$45,454

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#102
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#203
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Colonels

Intercollegiate baseballIntercollegiate basketball

History & Fun Facts

  • In 1956, the Louisiana Legislature separated Nicholls State from LSU and authorized it to develop four-year curricula.
  • In September 1956, the former junior college became Francis T.
  • Nicholls State College and granted its first degrees in May 1958.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

97Average

Estimated from LA state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 0"Sunny days: 240Rainy days: 85

Nearest Cities

New Orleanspop. 380K
45 mi(78 min)
Houstonpop. 2.3M
274 mi(475 min)
Dallaspop. 1.3M
410 mi(711 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MSY New Orleans35 mi
IAH Houston Intercontinental272 mi
BHM Birmingham353 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1397 mi · ~40h 21m drive
New York, NY1208 mi · ~34h 54m drive
Hartford, CT1305 mi · ~37h 42m drive
Providence, RI1362 mi · ~39h 21m drive
Albany, NY1296 mi · ~37h 26m drive
Syracuse, NY1222 mi · ~35h 18m drive
Rochester, NY1176 mi · ~33h 58m drive
Buffalo, NY1119 mi · ~32h 20m drive
Philadelphia, PA1128 mi · ~32h 35m drive
Pittsburgh, PA954 mi · ~27h 34m drive
Harrisburg, PA1067 mi · ~30h 49m drive
Newark, NJ1201 mi · ~34h 42m drive
Washington, DC1004 mi · ~29h drive
Baltimore, MD1038 mi · ~29h 59m drive
Atlanta, GA465 mi · ~13h 26m drive
Charlotte, NC690 mi · ~19h 56m drive
Raleigh, NC818 mi · ~23h 38m drive
Miami, FL706 mi · ~20h 24m drive
Orlando, FL575 mi · ~16h 37m drive
Tampa, FL521 mi · ~15h 3m drive
Nashville, TN498 mi · ~14h 23m drive
New Orleans, LA45 mi · ~1h 18m drive
Richmond, VA935 mi · ~27h 1m drive
Chicago, IL853 mi · ~24h 39m drive
Detroit, MI967 mi · ~27h 56m drive
Minneapolis, MN1058 mi · ~30h 34m drive
St. Louis, MO611 mi · ~17h 39m drive
Kansas City, MO678 mi · ~19h 35m drive
Indianapolis, IN738 mi · ~21h 19m drive
Columbus, OH829 mi · ~23h 57m drive
Cleveland, OH956 mi · ~27h 37m drive
Milwaukee, WI929 mi · ~26h 50m drive
Dallas, TX410 mi · ~11h 51m drive
Houston, TX274 mi · ~7h 55m drive
Austin, TX416 mi · ~12h 1m drive
San Antonio, TX463 mi · ~13h 23m drive
Los Angeles, CA1631 mi · ~47h 7m drive
San Francisco, CA1887 mi · ~54h 31m drive
San Diego, CA1566 mi · ~45h 14m drive
Seattle, WA2076 mi · ~59h 58m drive
Portland, OR2034 mi · ~58h 46m drive
Denver, CO1056 mi · ~30h 30m drive
Phoenix, AZ1274 mi · ~36h 48m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1405 mi · ~40h 35m drive
Honolulu, HI4165 mi · ~120h 19m drive
Deep South / Subtropical (warm winters, hot summers)

Deadline Calendar

Nicholls State University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications