Dickinson College vs. Penn State Abington

Comparable Facts

Compare Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA with Penn State Abington in Abington, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Penn State Abington is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (2,885 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dickinson College is located in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting); Penn State Abington is in Abington, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Abington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dickinson College 11:1; Penn State Abington 14:1.

Dickinson College vs. Penn State Abington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dickinson College or Penn State Abington? 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 Penn State Abington than Dickinson College ($19,232 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Abington are 15.4% lower than at Dickinson College ($14,474 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 330% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Abington (about $50,382 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $15,268.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 155.8% higher at Dickinson College than at Penn State Abington (about $39,986 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $25,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Penn State Abington (96% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 350.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Abington students ($44,479 vs. $9,883).

Dickinson College vs. Penn State Abington Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dickinson College or Penn State Abington? 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 Penn State Abington and Dickinson College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 220 points higher than at Penn State Abington (1170).
• Incoming Dickinson College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at Penn State Abington).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 1310/1460; Penn State Abington 1070/1265.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 30/33; Penn State Abington 23/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dickinson College - Test optional; Penn State Abington - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State Abington has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at Dickinson College vs. 11.2% at Penn State Abington.

Dickinson College vs. Penn State Abington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dickinson College and Penn State Abington? 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 Penn State Abington's (44%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Penn State Abington graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $5,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Abington graduates ($21,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Abington graduates ($217 vs. $277).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Abington students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 69%)

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.