Dickinson College vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

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

Dickinson College is larger than VWC based on total student enrollment (2,314 students vs. 1,853 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dickinson College is located in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting); Virginia Wesleyan University is in Virginia Beach, VA (Large City setting).
• Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dickinson College 11:1; Virginia Wesleyan University 15:1.

Dickinson College vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dickinson College or VWC? 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 Wesleyan University than Dickinson College ($21,267 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 30.2% lower than at Dickinson College ($11,930 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 75.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than VWC (about $28,150 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.1% higher at Dickinson College than at Virginia Wesleyan University (about $28,150 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan University than at Dickinson College (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 48.6% larger than aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students ($44,479 vs. $29,923).

Dickinson College vs. VWC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 140 points higher than at VWC (1250).
• Incoming Dickinson College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at VWC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 1310/1460; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 30/33; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dickinson College - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• VWC has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at Dickinson College vs. 11.9% at VWC.

Dickinson College vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dickinson College and VWC? 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 Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $20,300 more per year than VWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than VWC graduates ($21,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VWC graduates ($217 vs. $279).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 57%)

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.