Nicholls State University
73%
Acceptance rate
$10,410
Tuition/yr
7,015
Enrollment
About Nicholls State University
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 State University is a public liberal arts and sciences university in Thibodaux, Louisiana, founded in 1948 and enrolling approximately 6,043 students as of Fall 2024. The university offers more than 60 degree programs across undergraduate and graduate levels on a 287-acre campus located about 50 miles west of New Orleans.
Nicholls is recognized for several regionally distinctive programs. The Chef John Folse Culinary Institute is ranked 17th among culinary schools nationally. The university also offers specialized programs in marine and environmental science, petroleum services and safety technology, geomatics, and maritime management, fields directly tied to South Louisiana's energy and coastal industries. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is ranked 385th nationally by US News.
In U.S. News and World Report's 2026 edition, Nicholls ranks 33rd among Top Public Regional Universities in the South and 64th overall among Regional Universities in the South, placing second in Louisiana. The university draws a large proportion of first-generation college students and has an open-admissions policy with a 98% acceptance rate.
World University Rankings
Campus & Location
LA
Suburban
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
All graduates qualify for 12-month OPT. STEM-designated programs (CS, Engineering, Data Science, Mathematics, Sciences) qualify for 24-month STEM OPT extension — 36 months total work authorisation.
For Nepali students
- Nicholls State charges international students the same in-state tuition rate with no out-of-state surcharge, only a $60 per semester international fee on top of standard tuition, making estimated annual tuition around $10,400, well below the US average for international students. US News named it one of the 20 most affordable institutions for international students for 2023-24.
- Programs in nursing, petroleum engineering-related fields, and computer science open pathways to standard 12-month OPT work authorization after graduation, and STEM-designated degrees may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving graduates up to three years of US work experience.
- The university's International Student Services office provides dedicated immigration advising (SEVIS compliance, visa, taxation) and runs semester orientations, which is particularly useful for Nepali students navigating US immigration rules for the first time.
- The open admissions policy (98% acceptance rate) and English proficiency benchmarks of TOEFL 79+ or IELTS 6.5+ are accessible for Nepali applicants, and the small campus size (~6,000 students) means closer faculty access than at large state flagships, a practical advantage for students adapting to a new academic system.
Admission requirements — Nepali equivalents
A rough translation of the published minimums for Nepali applicants:
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