Yale vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

Compare Yale University in New Haven, CT with Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Yale University is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (15,564 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Yale University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Yale University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Yale University 5:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

Yale vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Yale 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 Yale University than Dickinson College ($22,408 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson College are 14.1% lower than at Yale University ($17,100 vs. $19,900).
• Yale University is 2.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dickinson College (about $1,600 more per year; $67,250.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.4% higher at Yale than at Dickinson College (about $1,600 more per year; $67,250.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Yale University (96% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Yale University students is 48.1% larger than aid received by Dickinson College students ($65,892 vs. $44,479).

Yale vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Yale 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 Yale.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Yale University (1520) is 130 points higher than at Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming Yale 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: Yale University 1470/1570; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Yale University 33/35; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Yale - Required; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Yale Jan 2, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than Yale (3.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.8% at Yale vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Yale vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Yale 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).

• Yale University's six-year graduation rate (97%) is higher than Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from Yale University earn a median of about $56,400 more per year than Dickinson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($118,400 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Yale University graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Dickinson College graduates ($13,500 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, Yale graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dickinson College graduates ($139 vs. $217).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Yale students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 84%)

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.