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AccessibleProfile current for 2026-2027

Nicholls State University acceptance rate and your odds of getting in

Nicholls State University is a public university in Louisiana that admits most qualified applicants (around 91%), which puts it in the accessible range. A rate like this means it admits most qualified applicants; the bar is less about clearing a single cutoff and more about how your full profile compares to admitted students.

Your odds at Nicholls State University
Three numbers, no account, the same published model the full calculator runs.

Use this page to see what Nicholls State University weighs, where it ranks among Louisiana schools, and how a profile like yours is likely to land. Admitted students post a 75th-percentile SAT around 1080, a useful checkpoint for where your scores sit, though it is a reference range and not a cutoff.

Acceptance rate
91%
Accessible
SAT middle 50%
934-1196
of admitted students
Type
Public
Thibodaux, LA
Average net price
$12,947
per year after aid

What do students study at Nicholls State University?

Bachelor's degrees awarded by field in 2023 (IPEDS completions). Each field has its own page with the school's numbers, the model's major adjustment, and peers offering it.

Health Professions and Related Programs · 261 (29.1%)Business, Management and Marketing · 173 (19.3%)Multi and Interdisciplinary Studies · 109 (12.1%)Psychology · 78 (8.7%)Education · 52 (5.8%)Biological and Biomedical Sciences · 49 (5.5%)Culinary and Personal Services · 30 (3.3%)Social Sciences · 24 (2.7%)Visual and Performing Arts · 23 (2.6%)Communication and Journalism · 18 (2%)History · 17 (1.9%)English Language and Literature · 15 (1.7%)

Will I get into Nicholls State University?

Direct answers to what applicants ask about getting into Nicholls State University, plus a free way to calculate your own odds.

What are my chances of getting into Nicholls State University?

At Nicholls State University, your real chance depends on far more than the published 91% admit rate. Your real odds depend on how your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities compare to its admitted students. Run your profile through the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance percentage for Nicholls State University in about three minutes, with no account needed to start.

Is Nicholls State University hard to get into?

Nicholls State University is accessible: it admits most qualified applicants, with about a 91% acceptance rate. Meeting the academic basics gives most qualified applicants a realistic shot.

What GPA do you need to get into Nicholls State University?

There is no hard GPA cutoff at Nicholls State University, but admitted students span a wide GPA range, with many in the 2.8 to 3.5 band. Nicholls State University reads your GPA alongside the rigor of your courses, so a challenging schedule matters as much as the number itself.

Calculate your chances at Nicholls State University →

Your chances at Nicholls State University by GPA and SAT

Estimated chance of admission at Nicholls State University for plain profiles, from the same model as the calculator. Unweighted GPA, 3 AP courses, Regular Decision, no legacy, athletic or first-generation hook. The last column is test-optional (no score sent).

What are my chances at Nicholls State University with a 3.1 GPA and a 1070 SAT?

About 98% (Safety), by CollegeCalcAI's deterministic model, for an applicant with a 3.1 unweighted GPA and a 1070 SAT, the middle of Nicholls State University's admitted range, applying Regular Decision without a hook. A 3.4 GPA with a 1200 SAT comes out near 98%. Courses, activities, essays and the application round move the number; the free calculator includes them.

Estimated admission chance at Nicholls State University by unweighted GPA (rows) and SAT score (columns)
GPASAT 93025th pctSAT 1070middleSAT 120075th pctNo testtest-optional
2.576%Safety93%Safety97%Safety84%Safety
2.893%Safety98%Safety98%Safety97%Safety
3.198%Safety98%Safety98%Safety98%Safety
3.498%Safety98%Safety98%Safety98%Safety

Estimates, not guarantees. Get yours with your real courses and activities. Assistants and developers can fetch this table from the free API: /api/v1/colleges/nicholls-state-university.

How to get into Nicholls State University

Built from Nicholls State University's admitted class and what it reports weighing. The typical-admit GPA and SAT are CollegeCalcAI's modeled figures, not published cutoffs.

Getting into Nicholls State University comes down to four decisions, each one visible in the data on this page.

Step 1
Match the typical admit on the transcript

CollegeCalcAI's modeled typical admit at Nicholls State University carries about a 3.00 core GPA and a 1146 SAT, in the most rigorous schedule available. Meeting it puts you in the admitted range for most applicants.

Step 2
Decide on scores with the real range

The admitted middle 50% is 934 to 1196 SAT (19 to 24 ACT). Scores are required, so schedule a retake if you are below the midpoint.

Step 3
Build the file around what Nicholls State University weighs

Nicholls State University rates rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores highest in its own Common Data Set. Put your depth there: and a transcript whose rigor rises through junior year.

Step 4
Apply in the round that helps

Most public universities read early applicants first without a binding commitment. Apply by Nicholls State University's early or priority deadline (confirm dates at www.nicholls.edu), and if you are out of state, know that residency changes both the bar and the price.

See your odds and your top moves at Nicholls State University →Add it to your college list →Official site: www.nicholls.edu ↗

How many students apply to Nicholls State University, and how many get in?

3,320 students applied to Nicholls State University for fall 2023; 3,188 were admitted (96%). 1,169 enrolled. Roughly 37% of admitted students enrolled, a typical yield for a school in this range. Nicholls State University enrolls about 4,737 undergraduates in total, 61% of them women, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 19 to 1.

Applied
3,320
fall 2023
Admitted
3,188
96% of applicants
Enrolled
1,169
37% yield
Undergraduates
4,737
Thibodaux, small city

Source: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS 2023 admissions and enrollment.

What SAT and ACT scores do you need for Nicholls State University?

The middle 50% of admitted students at Nicholls State University scored between 934 and 1196 on the SAT (average 1090). On the ACT the middle 50% runs from 19 to 24. A score above 1196 puts you in the top quarter of admits and turns the test into an asset; a score below 934 puts you in the bottom quarter, where the rest of the application has to carry more weight. Nicholls State University requires test scores, so plan a test date that leaves time for one retake.

SAT middle 50%
934-1196
average 1090
ACT middle 50%
19-24
of admitted students
Test scores
Required
admissions policy

Source: College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education), release 2026-06-10.

What Nicholls State University looks for

What Nicholls State University weighs most heavily in its admissions review, informed by its reported Common Data Set.

Nicholls State University signals that it values rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores above the rest of the file. Solid grades in a challenging schedule do most of the work here, with the rest of the application providing context. These ratings come from Nicholls State University's reported Common Data Set, so the full chart below reflects what the school itself says it values, not a generic guess.

Rigor of secondary school record
Very important
Academic GPA
Very important
Class rank
Important
Standardized test scores
Very important
Talent / ability
Considered
Character / personal qualities
Considered
First-generation status
Considered
State residency
Important

SAT score positioning at Nicholls State University

How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability. Your full profile determines the real estimate.

SATWhere it sits at Nicholls State University
1600Above the admitted 75th percentile
1500Above the admitted 75th percentile
1400Above the admitted 75th percentile
1300Above the admitted 75th percentile
1200Above the admitted 75th percentile
1100In the competitive admitted range
Colleges for a 1080 SAT →Colleges for a 21 ACT →See colleges by GPA →

How much does Nicholls State University cost after financial aid?

Nicholls State University's published cost of attendance, before any aid, is roughly $23,481 per year. Tuition and fees are $8,149 for LA residents and $9,242 for out-of-state students, a $1,093 gap that makes residency the single biggest lever on cost. What families actually pay is different: the average net price after grants and scholarships is $12,947 a year, and it ranges from $10,714 for families earning under $30,000 to $17,954 for families earning over $110,000. 34% of undergraduates receive a federal Pell Grant.

Sticker price
$23,481
per year, before aid
Average net price
$12,947
after grants and scholarships
In-state tuition
$8,149
$9,242 out of state
Pell recipients
34%
of undergraduates
Family incomeAverage net price per year
$0 to $30k$10,714
$30k to $48k$10,527
$48k to $75k$12,139
$75k to $110k$16,784
Over $110k$17,954

Source: College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education), release 2026-06-10. Net price is what students receiving aid paid after grants, by family income.

What do Nicholls State University graduates earn, and how many graduate?

Ten years after enrolling, the median Nicholls State University student who received federal aid earns $45,454 a year, up from $38,829 at six years. 54% of first-time, full-time students graduate within six years, and 77% return for a second year. Among graduates who borrowed, median federal debt at graduation is $22,675; 38% of undergraduates take federal loans.

Median earnings
$45,454
10 years after entry
Graduation rate
54%
within six years
Retention
77%
return for year two
Median debt
$22,675
at graduation, borrowers

Source: College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education), release 2026-06-10. Earnings cover students who received federal aid.

How Nicholls State University compares in Louisiana

Nicholls State University ranks #16 most selective of 19 schools in Louisiana in our database.

Among the 19 Louisiana schools we track, Nicholls State University ranks #16 most selective by acceptance rate. Schools like Tulane University (14%) and Southern University (35%) sit nearby, which makes Louisiana a useful frame for calibrating a balanced list. As a public university, residency matters: in-state applicants generally see meaningfully better odds than the headline rate suggests.

Tulane University
14%acceptance · LA
Southern University
35%acceptance · LA
Dillard University
42%acceptance · LA
Grambling State University
45%acceptance · LA
Xavier University of Louisiana
69%acceptance · LA
Louisiana State University
73%acceptance · LA
University of New Orleans
74%acceptance · LA
Louisiana Christian University
77%acceptance · LA
See all Louisiana schools →

Similar to Nicholls State University

Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.

If Nicholls State University is on your list, schools with a similar admit profile are worth a look: Cal State Fullerton, Cleveland State University, and Eastern Washington University. Running the same profile against each one in the free calculator is the fastest way to see where you are a reach, a match, or a likely.

Cal State Fullerton
91%acceptance · CA
Cleveland State University
91%acceptance · OH
Eastern Washington University
91%acceptance · WA
Missouri State University
91%acceptance · MO
Portland State University
91%acceptance · OR
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
91%acceptance · WI

Frequently asked questions

What is Nicholls State University's acceptance rate?

Nicholls State University admitted 3,188 of 3,320 applicants for the fall 2023 entering class, an acceptance rate of 96% (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS). 37% of admitted students enrolled.

What SAT score do you need for Nicholls State University?

The middle 50% of admitted students scored 934 to 1196 on the SAT and 19 to 24 on the ACT. A score above 1196 is in the top quarter of admits.

Is Nicholls State University test-optional?

No. Nicholls State University reports that test scores are required for admission.

How much does Nicholls State University cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Nicholls State University, what students receiving aid paid after grants and scholarships, is $12,947 a year against a sticker price of about $23,481. Families earning under $30,000 paid about $10,714 on average.

What do Nicholls State University graduates earn?

Median earnings ten years after entering Nicholls State University are $45,454 a year among students who received federal aid, and 54% of students graduate within six years (College Scorecard).

What does Nicholls State University value most in applicants?

Based on its admissions profile, Nicholls State University weighs rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.

Does Nicholls State University favor in-state applicants?

As a public university, Nicholls State University generally admits in-state applicants at a higher rate than out-of-state applicants, so your home state affects your odds. CollegeCalcAI applies an in-state residency boost when you select your state.

How can I improve my chances at Nicholls State University?

Focus on the highest-leverage parts of your application: course rigor and GPA trajectory first, then test scores, then a focused leadership or activity spike. CollegeCalcAI's Power-Ups quantify how much each change would move your odds at Nicholls State University specifically.

How does residency affect admission to Nicholls State University?

As a public university, Nicholls State University typically admits in-state students at a higher rate, and tuition differs sharply by residency. Select your home state in the calculator to fold the in-state effect into your estimate.

Acceptance rate, application counts, admitted test ranges, cost, and outcomes reflect publicly reported federal data (U.S. Department of Education: IPEDS 2023 and the College Scorecard) and each school's Common Data Set; figures are rounded and lag the current cycle by one to two years, so confirm deadlines and policies on the school's own site. The typical-admit GPA and SAT are CollegeCalcAI's modeled estimates. Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.