Colorado College vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

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

Dickinson College is larger than Colorado College based on total student enrollment (2,314 students vs. 2,056 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado College is located in Colorado Springs, CO (Large City setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Colorado College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado College 9:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

Colorado College vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado 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 Colorado College than Dickinson College ($36,123 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado College are 6.3% lower than at Dickinson College ($16,020 vs. $17,100).
• Colorado College is 7.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dickinson College (about $5,084 more per year; $70,734.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.7% higher at Colorado College than at Dickinson College (about $5,084 more per year; $70,734.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Colorado College (96% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado College students is 14.3% larger than aid received by Dickinson College students ($50,834 vs. $44,479).

Colorado College vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 40 points higher than at Colorado College (1350).
• Incoming Colorado College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at Dickinson College (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado College 1230/1460; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado College 29/33; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado College - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado College Jan 15, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than Colorado College (18.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.3% at Colorado College vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Colorado College vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado 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).

• Colorado College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $16,000 more per year than Colorado College graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado College graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Dickinson College graduates ($20,500 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, Colorado College 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 Colorado College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 88%)

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.