Wake Forest vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

Compare Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC with Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wake Forest University is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wake Forest University 10:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

Wake Forest vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest University than Dickinson College ($24,401 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson College are 7.5% lower than at Wake Forest University ($17,100 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dickinson College (about $1,992 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at Wake Forest than at Dickinson College (about $1,992 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Wake Forest University (96% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 41.9% larger than aid received by Dickinson College students ($63,117 vs. $44,479).

Wake Forest vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 80 points higher than at Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at Dickinson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 1410/1520; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 32/34; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wake Forest - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Wake Forest vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Wake Forest vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wake Forest 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).

• Wake Forest University's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $15,200 more per year than Dickinson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($21,000 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($217 vs. $237).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wake Forest students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 88%)

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.