Wheaton College vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

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

Wheaton College is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (2,874 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wheaton College is located in Wheaton, IL (Large Suburban setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Wheaton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wheaton College 10:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

Wheaton College vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wheaton College 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 Wheaton College than Dickinson College ($31,356 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College are 23.9% lower than at Dickinson College ($13,010 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 44.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wheaton College (about $20,104 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.1% higher at Dickinson College than at Wheaton College (about $20,104 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College than at Dickinson College (98% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 58.9% larger than aid received by Wheaton College students ($44,479 vs. $27,987).

Wheaton College vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wheaton College 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 Wheaton College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 20 points higher than at Wheaton College (1370).
• Incoming Dickinson College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Wheaton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 1260/1470; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 28/32; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wheaton College - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.9% at Wheaton College vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Wheaton College vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wheaton College 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).

• Wheaton College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than Wheaton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $54,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Wheaton College graduates ($21,000 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wheaton College graduates ($217 vs. $232).
• More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dickinson College students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.