Dickinson College vs. F&M

Comparable Facts

Compare Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA with Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dickinson College is larger than F&M based on total student enrollment (2,314 students vs. 1,808 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dickinson College is located in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting); Franklin and Marshall College is in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting).
• Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin and Marshall College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dickinson College 11:1; Franklin and Marshall College 9:1.

Dickinson College vs. F&M Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dickinson College or F&M? 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 F&M ($38,483 vs. $43,987).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Franklin and Marshall College are 5.3% lower than at Dickinson College ($16,188 vs. $17,100).
• Franklin and Marshall College is 7.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dickinson College (about $5,144 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.8% higher at F&M than at Dickinson College (about $5,144 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Franklin and Marshall College (96% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 6.2% larger than aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students ($44,479 vs. $41,901).

Dickinson College vs. F&M Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dickinson College or F&M? 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 F&M and Dickinson College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is the same as at F&M (1390).
• Incoming Dickinson College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at F&M (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 1310/1460; Franklin and Marshall College 1310/1463.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 30/33; Franklin and Marshall College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dickinson College - Test optional; F&M - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027; F&M Jan 15, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than F&M (28.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at Dickinson College vs. 17.1% at F&M.

Dickinson College vs. F&M Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dickinson College and F&M? 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).

• Franklin and Marshall College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $100 more per year than F&M graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $61,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than F&M graduates ($21,000 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than F&M graduates ($217 vs. $227).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former F&M 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.