Vassar vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

Compare Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY with Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Vassar College is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (2,462 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Vassar College is located in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Vassar College 7:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

Vassar vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Vassar 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 Vassar College than Dickinson College ($29,981 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson College are 6.2% lower than at Vassar College ($17,100 vs. $18,240).
• Vassar College is 8.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dickinson College (about $5,380 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.2% higher at Vassar than at Dickinson College (about $5,380 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Vassar College (96% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 29.1% larger than aid received by Dickinson College students ($57,443 vs. $44,479).

Vassar vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Vassar 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 Vassar.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 110 points higher than at Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming Vassar students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Dickinson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Vassar College 1450/1550; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Vassar College 33/35; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Vassar - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Vassar Jan 1, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than Vassar (18.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Vassar vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Vassar vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Vassar 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).

• Vassar College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than Vassar graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $5,220 lower median loan debt than Dickinson College graduates ($15,780 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dickinson College graduates ($163 vs. $217).
• More Vassar 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.