Columbia vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia University in the City of New York is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

Columbia vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia 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 Columbia University in the City of New York than Dickinson College ($22,520 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson College are 2.7% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($17,100 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 9.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dickinson College (about $6,195 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.4% higher at Columbia than at Dickinson College (about $6,195 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Columbia University in the City of New York (96% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 50.7% larger than aid received by Dickinson College students ($67,010 vs. $44,479).

Columbia vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia 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 Columbia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 160 points higher than at Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming Columbia 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: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Columbia vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia 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).

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $45,600 more per year than Dickinson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($21,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($217 vs. $222).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 76%)

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.