RPI vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

Compare Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY with Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, NY (Small City setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

RPI vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RPI 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 Dickinson College than RPI ($38,483 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson College are 5.6% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($17,100 vs. $18,120).
• Dickinson College is 2.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than RPI (about $1,569 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.4% higher at Dickinson College than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $1,569 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (96% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 2.2% larger than aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students ($44,479 vs. $43,517).

RPI vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RPI 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 RPI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 50 points higher than at Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming RPI students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Dickinson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RPI - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

RPI vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RPI 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).

• The graduation rate at RPI is the same as at Dickinson College (84% vs. 84%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $20,500 more per year than Dickinson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($21,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($217 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dickinson College students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 89%)

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.