Nicholls State University
Nicholls State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Nicholls State University at a Glance
Nicholls State University is a public university in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Founded in 1948, Nicholls is part of the University of Louisiana System. Originally named Francis T. Nicholls Junior College, the university is named for Francis T. Nicholls, a former governor of Louisiana, member of the Louisiana Supreme Court, and general in the Confederate army during the American Civil War.
1948
78 years old
$30M
$30 million
6,366
5,717 undergrad · 649 grad
Identity
Is Nicholls State University Worth It?
Nicholls State University offers moderate value at $12,947/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $45,454, which is 15% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 54% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 91% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $22,675 representing 50% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
How Nicholls State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in LA
Ranked #49 of 181 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #49 | Nicholls State University | 47 | $12,947 | $45,454 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Nicholls State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in LA.
Best Programs at Nicholls State University
The highest-earning program at Nicholls State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $58,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Communication and Media Studies at $21,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Nicholls State University earns $58,700, while a Communication and Media Studies graduate earns $21,400. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,947/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $58,700 | $58,700 | $20,693 |
| Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians | $49,200 | $49,200 | $26,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $37,800 | $37,800 | $23,059 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $37,400 | $37,400 | $23,765 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $31,300 | $31,300 | $19,999 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $30,300 | $30,300 | $19,749 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $29,600 | $29,600 | $18,249 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $26,900 | $26,900 | $21,026 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $24,900 | $24,900 | $31,000 |
| Psychology, General | $24,500 | $24,500 | $22,250 |
| Marketing | $23,900 | $23,900 | $14,366 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | $23,500 | $23,500 | $26,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $21,400 | $21,400 | N/A |
Similar Colleges in LA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Thibodaux, LA
- Student Body
- 4,737 students
- Admission Rate
- 91%
- Graduation Rate
- 54%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,947
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $45,454
- Median Student Debt
- $22,675