Amherst vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dickinson College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (2,314 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

Amherst vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Dickinson College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Amherst College than Dickinson College ($19,049 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson College are 7% lower than at Amherst College ($17,100 vs. $18,390).
• Amherst College is 7.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dickinson College (about $4,830 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.4% higher at Amherst than at Dickinson College (about $4,830 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Amherst College (96% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 54.2% larger than aid received by Dickinson College students ($68,591 vs. $44,479).

Amherst vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Amherst or Dickinson College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Dickinson College and Amherst.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 150 points higher than at Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Dickinson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Amherst vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Dickinson College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $20,000 more per year than Dickinson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $8,025 lower median loan debt than Dickinson College graduates ($12,975 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dickinson College graduates ($134 vs. $217).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 83%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.