In 1956, the Louisiana Legislature separated Nicholls State from LSU and authorized it to develop four-year curricula.

The average GPA of undergraduate students admitted to the university's honors program is 3.6 with an ACT score of 26.

[7] As with nearly all academic institutions in Louisiana, Hurricane Katrina affected Nicholls' completion rate and overall ranking.

During the aftermath of Katrina, Nicholls suspended its admissions selectivity in order to accommodate students from hurricane affected institutions.

[9] These are areas of study that, because of either their unique classes or their leadership in Louisiana education, have been selected for this special honor.

Other notable degree programs include: Bachelor of Arts in art, English, mass communication, and music; Bachelor of Science in applied sciences geomatics; and master's degrees in marine and environmental biology, education, and business administration (in addition to an Executive MBA program).

The Allen J. Ellender Memorial Library offers research assistance to the Nicholls State University community via 125+ databases and traditional reference books.

Librarians provide library research instruction classes in all disciplines as well as individual consultation sessions.

In its role as a depository, Government Information houses an extensive collection of books, periodicals, microfiche, maps, CDs, and kits published by Louisiana state and federal agencies on a wide array of topics such as health, geology, military history, law and legislation, education, statistics and more.

The collections include personal papers, business and organizational records, historical photographs, literary manuscripts, maps, diaries and scrapbooks.

The Nicholls State University Department of Athletics currently sponsors men's intercollegiate baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, golf and tennis along with women's intercollegiate basketball, cross-country, softball, soccer, tennis, track and field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball.

The modern version wears a bright red uniform topped off with a contemporary-style military officer's cap.