Dickinson College vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

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

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dickinson College is located in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dickinson College 11:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

Dickinson College vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dickinson College or WCU? 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania than Dickinson College ($22,546 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 13.3% lower than at Dickinson College ($14,828 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 509.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $54,875 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 190.5% higher at Dickinson College than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $43,051 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (96% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 679.1% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($44,479 vs. $5,709).

Dickinson College vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 200 points higher than at WCU (1190).
• Incoming Dickinson College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 1310/1460; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 30/33; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dickinson College - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (78.4%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at Dickinson College vs. 22.4% at WCU.

Dickinson College vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dickinson College and WCU? 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania's (68%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $13,000 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($21,000 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($217 vs. $242).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 75%)

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.