Dickinson College vs. Virginia Union University

Comparable Facts

Compare Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA with Virginia Union University in Richmond, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dickinson College is larger than Virginia Union University based on total student enrollment (2,314 students vs. 1,646 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dickinson College is located in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting); Virginia Union University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Union University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dickinson College 11:1; Virginia Union University 16:1.

Dickinson College vs. Virginia Union University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dickinson College or Virginia Union University? 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 Virginia Union University than Dickinson College ($11,483 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Union University are 35.6% lower than at Dickinson College ($11,016 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 276.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Virginia Union University (about $48,200 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $17,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 276.2% higher at Dickinson College than at Virginia Union University (about $48,200 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $17,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Virginia Union University (96% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 153.8% larger than aid received by Virginia Union University students ($44,479 vs. $17,524).

Dickinson College vs. Virginia Union University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dickinson College or Virginia Union University? 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 Virginia Union University and Dickinson College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 520 points higher than at Virginia Union University (870).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 1310/1460; Virginia Union University 850/885.
• 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; Virginia Union University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Virginia Union University has a higher acceptance rate (98%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at Dickinson College vs. 14.3% at Virginia Union University.

Dickinson College vs. Virginia Union University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dickinson College and Virginia Union University? 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 Virginia Union University's (29%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $28,700 more per year than Virginia Union University graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $33,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $12,750 lower median loan debt than Virginia Union University graduates ($21,000 vs. $33,750).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $131 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Union University graduates ($217 vs. $348).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Virginia Union University students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 19%)

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.