Denison vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

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

Denison University is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (2,394 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Denison University is located in Granville, OH (Rural Fringe setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Denison University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Denison University 9:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

Denison vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Denison 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 Dickinson College than Denison ($38,483 vs. $43,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Denison University are 4.1% lower than at Dickinson College ($16,400 vs. $17,100).
• Denison University is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dickinson College (about $1,350 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at Denison than at Dickinson College (about $1,350 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Denison University (96% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 16.5% larger than aid received by Denison University students ($44,479 vs. $38,179).

Denison vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Denison 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 Denison.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Denison University (1410) is 20 points higher than at Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming Denison 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: Denison University 1320/1490; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Denison University 30/33; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Denison - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Denison Jan 15, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than Denison (17.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.8% at Denison vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Denison vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Denison 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 Denison University's (79%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than Denison graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $56,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Denison graduates ($21,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Denison graduates ($217 vs. $268).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Denison students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 83%)

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.