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Dickinson College

Dickinson College

Carlisle, PA · City · 2,273 students
Website Common App Forbes ranking Scorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$37,607
Average net priceYour net price
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
82%
Graduation rate
69% typical
$70,204
Earnings 10 years on
$58,391 typical
42%
Acceptance rate
64% typical · not scored
Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education
About

Chartered in 1783 as the first college in the newly formed United States, Dickinson College is a distinguished liberal arts institution in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, recognized for top-tier programs in international studies, political science, environmental science, and international business. The college is nationally celebrated for its deeply embedded global approach to education and industry-leading sustainability initiatives, which include running dedicated study-abroad centers worldwide and operating its own 180-acre certified organic farm. Campus culture is collaborative, socially conscious, and intellectually driven, offering students a tight-knit residential community centered around cross-disciplinary inquiry, undergraduate research, and active civic engagement.

Wikipedia:Dickinson College is a private liberal arts college in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1773 as Carlisle Grammar School, Dickinson was chartered on September 9, 1783, making it one of the first colleges established after the formation of the United States. Dickinson was founded by Benjamin Rush, a Founding Father and signer of the Declaration of Independence. The college is named in honor of John Dickinson, a Founding Father who voted to ratify the Constitution and later served as governor of Pennsylvania, and his wife Mary Norris Dickinson, who donated much of their extensive personal libraries to the new college.

Location
Carlisle, PA, 17013-2896 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
BWI · Baltimore
76 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$65,650
Housing & food (on campus)$17,100
Books & supplies$1,324
Cost of attendance$93,706
Average net price$37,607
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$65,650
Housing & food (on campus)$17,100
Books & supplies$1,324
Cost of attendance$93,706
Average net price$37,607
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.dickinson.edu
How it’s made up
Tuition$71,100
Fees$550
Housing$9,600
Food$9,050
Books & supplies$1,324
Personal expenses$1,718
Transportation$300
Total published by the school$93,706
Net price by family income
$0–30k
$40,755
$30–48k
$15,081
$48–75k
$16,316
$75–110k
$22,696
$110k+
$45,175
Grants from the school
96% of first-years get a grant from the school, averaging $43,595
Source: College Navigator (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS)
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
82%
Within 4 yrs
68%
Back for yr 2
92%
Transferred
0%
Pell students: 79.0% · others: 79.9% 
8 yrs after starting
83% graduated · 12% transferred · 5% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings
6 yrs after entry$57,110
10 yrs after entry$70,204
Debt
Median at graduation$19,000
Monthly payment$201
Middle 50% owe$12k–$25.8k
90th percentile$30,500
Green marks a figure above the typical Baccalaureate — arts & sciences: 69% graduate within 6 yrs, $58,391 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in
Admit rate
42%
Test policy
Test optional
Policy page
SAT average
1391
R 670–740 · M 640–720
SAT middle 50%: 1310–1460
40080012001600
Admitted students
Admit rate: men 37.6% · women 45.3% 
Yield: 21.1% of admitted students enroll 

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at Dickinson College: Important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: Dickinson College's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.

If Dickinson College asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 40%Women 60%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
11 : 1
Pell grant
13%
First-gen
12%
Family income
$100,109
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
0%
Where first-years come from
In state (PA)
26.3%
Out of state
66.7%
International
7.0%

Most out-of-state first-years from: MD 76 · NJ 62 · NY 57 · MA 38 · VA 36

Race & ethnicity
White
67%
Hispanic
8%
Black
4%
Asian
5%
Two or more
5%
Non-resident
12%
Unknown
1%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III with football
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Field Hockey
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Squash
    Men's · Women's
  • Swimming
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Indoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs
After 6 yrs
$57,110
After 10 yrs
$70,204
International Business50
Economics38
Political Science and Government35
Psychology, General30
English Language and Literature, General23
Natural Resources Conservation and Research20
Mathematics20
Area Studies19
International Relations and National Security Studies18
Biology, General17
History17
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology16
Neurobiology and Neurosciences16
Computer Science14
Non-Professional Legal Studies14
Fine and Studio Arts13
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$628M
Full-time faculty
81%
Faculty salary
$10,034/mo
Teaching spend
$19,764
per student
Federal loans
39%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — arts & sciences
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if Dickinson College is the right fit for you?

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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