Dickinson College vs. Providence

Comparable Facts

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

Providence College is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (4,666 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dickinson College is located in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting); Providence College is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Providence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dickinson College 11:1; Providence College 11:1.

Dickinson College vs. Providence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dickinson College or Providence? 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 Providence ($38,483 vs. $48,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson College are 4.1% lower than at Providence College ($17,100 vs. $17,840).
• Dickinson College is 3.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Providence (about $2,100 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $63,550.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.3% higher at Dickinson College than at Providence College (about $2,100 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $63,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Providence College (96% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 39.6% larger than aid received by Providence College students ($44,479 vs. $31,873).

Dickinson College vs. Providence Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 70 points higher than at Providence (1320).
• Incoming Dickinson College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Providence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 1310/1460; Providence College 1250/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 30/33; Providence College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dickinson College - Test optional; Providence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027; Providence Jan 15, 2027.
• Providence has a higher acceptance rate (50.9%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at Dickinson College vs. 19.2% at Providence.

Dickinson College vs. Providence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dickinson College and Providence? 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).

• Providence College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from Providence College earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than Dickinson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,000 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 Providence graduates ($21,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Providence graduates ($217 vs. $279).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Providence students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 80%)

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.