Elms College vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, 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 Elms College based on total student enrollment (2,314 students vs. 1,268 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Our Lady of the Elms is located in Chicopee, MA (Large Suburban setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

Elms College vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elms College 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 College of Our Lady of the Elms than Dickinson College ($19,870 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Our Lady of the Elms are 8.7% lower than at Dickinson College ($15,605 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 51.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Elms College (about $22,325 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.5% higher at Dickinson College than at College of Our Lady of the Elms (about $22,325 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms than at Dickinson College (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 31.6% larger than aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students ($44,479 vs. $33,794).

Elms College vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elms College 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 Elms College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 150 points higher than at Elms College (1240).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsDickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elms College - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.9% at Elms College vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Elms College vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elms College 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 College of Our Lady of the Elms's (58%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $15,700 more per year than Elms College graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Elms College graduates ($21,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elms College graduates ($217 vs. $258).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 61%)

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.