UMass vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

UMass vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass 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 University of Massachusetts Amherst than Dickinson College ($22,948 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Amherst are 2.3% lower than at Dickinson College ($16,710 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 269.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $47,878 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.3% higher at Dickinson College than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $25,201 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (96% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 239.3% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($44,479 vs. $13,110).

UMass vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMass 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 UMass.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 20 points higher than at Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming UMass students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at Dickinson College (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• UMass has a higher acceptance rate (59.7%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

UMass vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass 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 University of Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than UMass graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than UMass graduates ($21,000 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMass graduates ($217 vs. $248).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass 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.