Dickinson College vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley

Comparable Facts

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

Dickinson College is larger than Penn State Lehigh Valley based on total student enrollment (2,314 students vs. 867 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Dickinson College vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dickinson College or Penn State Lehigh Valley? 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 Lehigh Valley than Dickinson College ($19,066 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Lehigh Valley are 10.7% lower than at Dickinson College ($15,274 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 331.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $50,442 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 158.5% higher at Dickinson College than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $40,258 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (96% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 390.7% larger than aid received by Penn State Lehigh Valley students ($44,479 vs. $9,065).

Dickinson College vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 160 points higher than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (1230).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 1310/1460; Penn State Lehigh Valley 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dickinson College - Test optional; Penn State Lehigh Valley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State Lehigh Valley has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at Dickinson College vs. 14% at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

Dickinson College vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dickinson College and Penn State Lehigh Valley? 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 Lehigh Valley's (47%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Penn State Lehigh Valley 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 Lehigh Valley 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 Lehigh Valley graduates ($217 vs. $277).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Lehigh Valley 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.