Dickinson College
- Graduation Rate
- 82% A-
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $70,204 A
- Top 7% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $37,607 F
- 119% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 42% A-
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 12.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $12.1 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $12.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,671,136.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Graduates earn 72% more than the national college median.
-
A 82% graduation rate — 43% above the national average.
-
Every $1 invested returns $12.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Dickinson College Matters
Dickinson College is a private liberal arts college in Carlisle, PA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 7% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 2,273
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose Dickinson College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 42% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1310–1460. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $37,607 a year after grants and scholarships — 119% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $70,204 ten years after enrolling — 72% above the typical college, against $19,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 65% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.87 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 2,273 students and an acceptance rate of 42%, Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA, creates an intimate academic environment that’s ideal for those who thrive in smaller settings. Students here often gravitate towards top programs in Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Business & Marketing, Psychology, and Visual & Performing Arts. This variety offers a rich tapestry of learning experiences, catering to diverse interests and career aspirations.
Looking ahead to life after graduation, Dickinson graduates earn an average of $70,204 within ten years of completing their degree. That’s a solid figure, especially when you consider the potential for upward mobility in various fields. The school’s relatively affordable net price of $37,607 helps ensure that students can focus on their studies without being overwhelmed by financial burdens. With a graduation rate of 82%, many students successfully transition into their careers or further education, which speaks to the supportive academic community they experience.
In terms of practicalities, students who thrive at Dickinson tend to be those who appreciate a close-knit community and are ready to engage deeply with their education. The median debt of $19,000 is manageable, especially when considering the earnings potential post-graduation. With a Pell Grant rate of 13%, the school does offer some financial assistance, making it accessible for a range of students. This blend of affordability and supportive academics sets the stage for a promising future for those who choose Dickinson College.
Rankings
- #13 Best Computer Science Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #13 Best Data Science Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #14 Best Biology Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #16 Best Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #16 Best Bachelor's Programs in Pennsylvania
- #16 Best Master's Programs in Pennsylvania
- #18 Best Psychology Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #35 Best Business Colleges in Pennsylvania
Can I Get In?
How selective Dickinson College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Dickinson College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Dickinson College reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 42%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,391. The graduation rate is roughly 82%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 42%
- Retention Rate
- 92%
- SAT Average
- 1391
- SAT Range
- 1310–1460
- ACT Range
- 30–33
- Full-Time Faculty
- 81%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,034
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.53
- First-Gen Students
- 12%
- Applicants
- 8,261
- Admitted
- 2,885
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Dickinson College is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 21% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 21%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 23%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 13%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Early Decision Admit Rate
- 51.4%
- vs 42.1% overall
Applying early pays off here. Of 545 Early Decision applicants, 280 were admitted — a 51.4% admit rate, roughly 1.2× the 42.1% rate for the overall pool. That binding round alone filled about 43% of the entering class (280 of 646 first-years). The catch: Early Decision is a commitment you make before you can compare aid offers.
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 36% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Dickinson College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Dickinson College is $65,650, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $37,607. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $40,755 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $65,650
- Out-of-State
- $65,650
- Avg Net Price
- $37,607
- Median Debt
- $19,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 13%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 39%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $40,755
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $15,081
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,316
- Family Income $110K+
- $45,175
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Dickinson College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Dickinson College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Dickinson College earn a median of $70,204, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $57,110
- 8 Years
- $69,231
- 10 Years
- $70,204
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.27x
- Earning > $25K
- 76%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (499)
- 81%
- 100% (499)
- 81%
- 100% (499)
- 81%
- 100% (499)
- 81%
How Dickinson Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Dickinson College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Dickinson College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $37,607/year ($150,428 total). Graduates earn $70,204 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,821,564 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,671,136 (12.1× your investment). The median debt is $19,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 82% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $150,428
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,821,564
- Net Return
- $1,671,136
- ROI Multiple
- 12.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $37,607
- Median Debt
- $19,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 82%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Dickinson College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Dickinson College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.21%, well above the typical college. Access is narrower: only about 2.2% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 54% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $136,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.21%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 54.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 2.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $185,592
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,475,949
- Investment Income
- $-1,845,872
Top Programs
The fields Dickinson College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Social Sciences 18% $59,790 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 13% $36,132 early-career
- Business & Marketing 11% $61,489 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 6%
- Psychology 5% $50,714 early-career
- English & Literature 4% $40,390 early-career
- Physical Sciences 3%
- Visual & Performing Arts 3% $35,271 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Dickinson College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Dickinson College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Dickinson College reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 42%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,391. The graduation rate is roughly 82%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Dickinson College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Dickinson College is $65,650, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $37,607. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $40,755 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,000 in federal student loans.
Is Dickinson College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Dickinson College earn a median of $70,204, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
Does Dickinson College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Dickinson College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.21%, well above the typical college. Access is narrower: only about 2.2% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 54% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $136,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Dickinson College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Dickinson College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.87, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 12% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Dickinson College offer Early Decision, and does it improve admission chances?
Yes. Dickinson College offers a binding Early Decision plan, and it carries a real advantage: Early Decision applicants were admitted at 51%, about 1.2 times the overall 42% acceptance rate, and ED filled roughly 43% of the entering class. Because ED is binding, it makes sense only if Dickinson College is a clear first choice and you can commit before comparing aid offers (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is Dickinson College really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 36% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at Dickinson College (2024-25 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Dickinson College?
About 21% of admitted students choose to enroll at Dickinson College — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Dickinson College.
- Gettysburg CollegeGettysburg, PA · Close peer83% grad $71,517 earn 39% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Connecticut CollegeNew London, CT · Close peer83% grad $75,001 earn 37% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Furman UniversityGreenville, SC · Close peer80% grad $68,635 earn 43% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Occidental CollegeLos Angeles, CA · Close peer83% grad $75,951 earn 44% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Illinois Wesleyan UniversityBloomington, IL · Close peer78% grad $70,871 earn 39% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Union CollegeSchenectady, NY · Close peer83% grad $88,604 earn 44% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Dickinson College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Dickinson College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.87, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 12% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note