Howard vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

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

Howard University is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

Howard vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or Dickinson College? 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 Howard University than Dickinson College ($33,368 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson College are 1.3% lower than at Howard University ($17,100 vs. $17,322).
• Dickinson College is 83.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $29,840 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 83.3% higher at Dickinson College than at Howard University (about $29,840 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard University than at Dickinson College (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 109.2% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($44,479 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 180 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Incoming Dickinson College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Howard vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and Dickinson College? 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 Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $10,200 more per year than Howard graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($21,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($217 vs. $279).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 33%)

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.