Dickinson College vs. Mary Washington College

Comparable Facts

Compare Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA with University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Mary Washington is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (3,826 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dickinson College is located in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting); University of Mary Washington is in Fredericksburg, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mary Washington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dickinson College 11:1; University of Mary Washington 13:1.

Dickinson College vs. Mary Washington College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dickinson College or Mary Washington College? 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 University of Mary Washington than Dickinson College ($21,800 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary Washington are 16.7% lower than at Dickinson College ($14,250 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 348.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mary Washington College (about $51,010 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $14,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 138.2% higher at Dickinson College than at University of Mary Washington (about $38,090 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $27,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary Washington than at Dickinson College (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 324% larger than aid received by University of Mary Washington students ($44,479 vs. $10,491).

Dickinson College vs. Mary Washington College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 120 points higher than at Mary Washington College (1270).
• Incoming Dickinson College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 29 at Mary Washington College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 1310/1460; University of Mary Washington 1170/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 30/33; University of Mary Washington 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dickinson College - Test optional; Mary Washington College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Mary Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at Dickinson College vs. 17.7% at Mary Washington College.

Dickinson College vs. Mary Washington College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dickinson College and Mary Washington College? 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 University of Mary Washington's (71%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than Mary Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $55,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Mary Washington College graduates ($21,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mary Washington College graduates ($217 vs. $222).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mary Washington College 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.