Dickinson College vs. MSOE

Comparable Facts

Compare Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA with Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Milwaukee School of Engineering is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (2,953 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dickinson College is located in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting); Milwaukee School of Engineering is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee School of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dickinson College 11:1; Milwaukee School of Engineering 12:1.

Dickinson College vs. MSOE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dickinson College or MSOE? 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 Milwaukee School of Engineering than Dickinson College ($25,669 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milwaukee School of Engineering are 18.2% lower than at Dickinson College ($13,984 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 30.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSOE (about $15,170 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $50,480.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.1% higher at Dickinson College than at Milwaukee School of Engineering (about $15,170 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $50,480.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milwaukee School of Engineering than at Dickinson College (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 20.2% larger than aid received by Milwaukee School of Engineering students ($44,479 vs. $36,997).

Dickinson College vs. MSOE Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dickinson College or MSOE? 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 MSOE and Dickinson College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 110 points higher than at MSOE (1280).
• Incoming Dickinson College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at MSOE).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 1310/1460; Milwaukee School of Engineering 1160/1405.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 30/33; Milwaukee School of Engineering 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dickinson College - Test optional; MSOE - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027; MSOE Sep 1, 2026.
• MSOE has a higher acceptance rate (58.9%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at Dickinson College vs. 17.2% at MSOE.

Dickinson College vs. MSOE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dickinson College and MSOE? 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 Milwaukee School of Engineering's (57%).
• Graduates from Milwaukee School of Engineering earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than Dickinson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,900 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than MSOE graduates ($21,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSOE graduates ($217 vs. $279).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSOE 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.