Wellesley vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

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

Wellesley College is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (2,407 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Wellesley vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wellesley 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 Wellesley College than Dickinson College ($22,174 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson College are 18.7% lower than at Wellesley College ($17,100 vs. $21,024).
• Wellesley College is 2.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dickinson College (about $1,526 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at Wellesley than at Dickinson College (about $1,526 more per year; $67,176.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Wellesley College (96% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 44.1% larger than aid received by Dickinson College students ($64,116 vs. $44,479).

Wellesley vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wellesley 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 Wellesley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 120 points higher than at Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming Wellesley 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: Wellesley College 1460/1560; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 33/35; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wellesley - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than Wellesley (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Wellesley vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wellesley 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).

• Wellesley College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from Wellesley College earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than Dickinson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,100 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $12,100 lower median loan debt than Dickinson College graduates ($8,900 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $125 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dickinson College graduates ($92 vs. $217).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wellesley students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 86%)

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.