Dickinson College vs. Penn State New Kensington

Comparable Facts

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

Dickinson College is larger than Penn State New Kensington based on total student enrollment (2,314 students vs. 421 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dickinson College is located in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting); Penn State New Kensington is in New Kensington, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State New Kensington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dickinson College 11:1; Penn State New Kensington 9:1.

Dickinson College vs. Penn State New Kensington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dickinson College or Penn State New Kensington? 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 New Kensington than Dickinson College ($19,504 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State New Kensington are 10.7% lower than at Dickinson College ($15,274 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 355.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State New Kensington (about $51,242 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $14,408.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 172% higher at Dickinson College than at Penn State New Kensington (about $41,516 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $24,134.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Penn State New Kensington (96% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 469.6% larger than aid received by Penn State New Kensington students ($44,479 vs. $7,809).

Dickinson College vs. Penn State New Kensington Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 200 points higher than at Penn State New Kensington (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 1310/1460; Penn State New Kensington 1110/1265.
• 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 New Kensington - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State New Kensington has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at Dickinson College vs. 22% at Penn State New Kensington.

Dickinson College vs. Penn State New Kensington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dickinson College and Penn State New Kensington? 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 New Kensington's (40%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Penn State New Kensington 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 New Kensington 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 New Kensington graduates ($217 vs. $277).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State New Kensington 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.