Chatham vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

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

Dickinson College is larger than Chatham based on total student enrollment (2,314 students vs. 2,309 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Chatham vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Chatham 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 Chatham University than Dickinson College ($31,280 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chatham University are 20.5% lower than at Dickinson College ($13,600 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 47.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Chatham (about $21,024 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $44,626.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.1% higher at Dickinson College than at Chatham University (about $21,024 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $44,626.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chatham University than at Dickinson College (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 47.8% larger than aid received by Chatham University students ($44,479 vs. $30,095).

Chatham vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Chatham 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 Chatham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 210 points higher than at Chatham (1180).
• Incoming Dickinson College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at Chatham).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chatham University 1070/1295; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chatham University 21/30; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Chatham - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Chatham has a higher acceptance rate (62%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at Chatham vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Chatham vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Chatham 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).

• Dickinson College's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than Chatham University's (60%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $25,300 more per year than Chatham graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chatham University graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Dickinson College graduates ($20,500 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, Chatham graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dickinson College graduates ($211 vs. $217).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chatham students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 62%)

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.