Dickinson College Admission Requirements

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  • 4 Year
  • Carlisle, PA
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Dickinson College Admission Overview

Dickinson College admission requirements are competitive. Last year Dickinson College admitted 42.1% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1310-1460 / ACT 30-33. Dickinson College is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Dickinson College Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

42.1%

Admission Standards

Very High

Applicant Competition

Average

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Dickinson College

Acceptance Rate

The Dickinson College acceptance rate is 42.1%. Last year, 3,055 of 7,258 applicants were admitted. That is the 15th lowest acceptance rate in Pennsylvania and the 182nd lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Dickinson College and can you get accepted?

Dickinson College is a competitive school to get into, turning away a substantial share of applicants. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 21% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Dickinson College GPA

Dickinson College considers GPA but does not publish an average for enrolled freshmen. Check the school's site for current practice.

Dickinson College SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1310-1460

Freshmen who sent SAT

23%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 670
  • Math 640
  • Composite 1310
SAT 25th percentile scores for Dickinson College

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 740
  • Math 720
  • Composite 1460
SAT 75th percentile scores for Dickinson College

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Dickinson College typically score around a 1390 SAT (middle 50% 1310–1460) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 95th percentile nationally. Dickinson College ranks #11 in the state of Pennsylvania and #116 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1310 to 1460

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Dickinson College is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1390 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Dickinson College
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1460+ Above 75th >58%
1390 to 1460 Avg + 43%-58%
1310 to 1390 Avg - 28%-43%
Below 1310 Below mid-50 <28%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Dickinson College ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

30-33

Freshmen reporting ACT

5%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 25
  • Math 30
  • Composite 30
ACT 25th percentile scores for Dickinson College

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 30
  • Math 35
  • Composite 33
ACT 75th percentile scores for Dickinson College

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Dickinson College typically have around a 31 ACT (mid-50 30–33) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 95th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Dickinson College places #10 among colleges in Pennsylvania and #114 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 30 to 33

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to Dickinson College without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 31.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Dickinson College
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
33+ Above 75th >63%
31 to 33 Avg + 42%-63%
30 to 31 Avg - 32%-42%
Below 30 Below mid-50 <32%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

76% of Dickinson College freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 47% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Dickinson College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 47%
Top 25% of class 76%
Top 50% of class 95%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Dickinson College chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Dickinson College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 4,218 3,036 7,258
Accepted 1,910 1,143 3,055
Acceptance Rate 45% 38% 42%
Enrolled 378 268 646
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 20% 23% 21%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Dickinson College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Dickinson College application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2027

Days left to Apply

137

Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Dickinson College is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Dickinson College
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Dickinson College is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 42.1% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1310-1460); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to Dickinson College often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=212009.

GPA calculator: Dickinson College GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026