Dickinson College vs. W&J

Comparable Facts

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

Dickinson College is larger than W&J based on total student enrollment (2,314 students vs. 1,309 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dickinson College is located in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting); Washington & Jefferson College is in Washington, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington & Jefferson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dickinson College 11:1; Washington & Jefferson College 11:1.

Dickinson College vs. W&J Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dickinson College or W&J? 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 Washington & Jefferson College than Dickinson College ($22,702 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington & Jefferson College are 14% lower than at Dickinson College ($14,710 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 123.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than W&J (about $36,258 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $29,392.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 123.4% higher at Dickinson College than at Washington & Jefferson College (about $36,258 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $29,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington & Jefferson College than at Dickinson College (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 120.7% larger than aid received by Washington & Jefferson College students ($44,479 vs. $20,152).

Dickinson College vs. W&J Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dickinson College or W&J? 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 W&J and Dickinson College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 260 points higher than at W&J (1130).
• Incoming Dickinson College students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 23 at W&J).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 1310/1460; Washington & Jefferson College 1010/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 30/33; Washington & Jefferson College 19/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dickinson College - Test optional; W&J - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• W&J has a higher acceptance rate (80.6%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at Dickinson College vs. 12.6% at W&J.

Dickinson College vs. W&J Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dickinson College and W&J? 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 Washington & Jefferson College's (74%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than W&J graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than W&J graduates ($21,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than W&J graduates ($217 vs. $279).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former W&J students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 79%)

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.