Dickinson College vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pennsylvania is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dickinson College is located in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dickinson College 11:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Dickinson College vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dickinson College or Penn? 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 Pennsylvania than Dickinson College ($23,570 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson College are 10.8% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($17,100 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 4.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dickinson College (about $3,036 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.6% higher at Penn than at Dickinson College (about $3,036 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at University of Pennsylvania (96% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 47.2% larger than aid received by Dickinson College students ($65,458 vs. $44,479).

Dickinson College vs. Penn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 150 points higher than at Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming Penn students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 31 at Dickinson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 1310/1460; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 30/33; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dickinson College - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at Dickinson College vs. 68% at Penn.

Dickinson College vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $61,600 more per year than Dickinson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $367 lower median loan debt than Dickinson College graduates ($20,633 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dickinson College graduates ($213 vs. $217).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 84%)

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.