Barnard vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

Compare Barnard College in New York, NY with Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Barnard College is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (3,487 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Barnard College is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Barnard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Barnard College 10:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

Barnard vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Barnard 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 Barnard College than Dickinson College ($26,407 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson College are 21.2% lower than at Barnard College ($17,100 vs. $21,714).
• Barnard College is 6.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dickinson College (about $4,238 more per year; $69,888.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.5% higher at Barnard than at Dickinson College (about $4,238 more per year; $69,888.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Barnard College (96% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Barnard College students is 41.9% larger than aid received by Dickinson College students ($63,131 vs. $44,479).

Barnard vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Barnard 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 Barnard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Barnard College (1520) is 130 points higher than at Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming Barnard students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at Dickinson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Barnard College 1470/1560; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Barnard College 32/34; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Barnard - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Barnard Jan 4, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than Barnard (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68.6% at Barnard vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Barnard vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Barnard 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).

• Barnard College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from Barnard College earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than Dickinson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,900 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Barnard College graduates have a $3,153 lower median loan debt than Dickinson College graduates ($17,847 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, Barnard graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dickinson College graduates ($184 vs. $217).
• More Barnard graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dickinson College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 89%)

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.