Carnegie Mellon vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

Compare Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA with Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carnegie Mellon University 5:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carnegie Mellon 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 Carnegie Mellon University than Dickinson College ($35,552 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson College are 5.9% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($17,100 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 0.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dickinson College (about $596 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.9% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Dickinson College (about $596 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Carnegie Mellon University (96% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 8.2% larger than aid received by Dickinson College students ($48,107 vs. $44,479).

Carnegie Mellon vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carnegie Mellon 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 Carnegie Mellon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 150 points higher than at Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon 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: Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 34/35; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carnegie Mellon - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carnegie Mellon 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).

• Carnegie Mellon University's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $40,700 more per year than Dickinson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $5,250 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($21,000 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($217 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dickinson College students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.