NC State vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC with Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

NC State vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC State 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh than Dickinson College ($15,522 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 16.2% lower than at Dickinson College ($14,332 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 646.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $56,851 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 99.9% higher at Dickinson College than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $32,803 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (96% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 281% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($44,479 vs. $11,675).

NC State vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NC State 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 NC State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is the same as at Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming Dickinson College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at NC State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

NC State vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NC State 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh's (72%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than NC State graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $57,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates have a $218 lower median loan debt than Dickinson College graduates ($20,782 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, NC State graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dickinson College graduates ($214 vs. $217).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NC State students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 76%)

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.