Cornell vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell University in Ithaca, NY with Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cornell University is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell University is located in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell University 9:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

Cornell vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell 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 Cornell University than Dickinson College ($26,361 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson College are 12% lower than at Cornell University ($17,100 vs. $19,428).
• Cornell University is 5.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dickinson College (about $3,664 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.6% higher at Cornell than at Dickinson College (about $3,664 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Cornell University (96% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 38.9% larger than aid received by Dickinson College students ($61,779 vs. $44,479).

Cornell vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornell 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 Cornell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 150 points higher than at Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming Cornell 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: Cornell University 1500/1570; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 33/35; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell - Required; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cornell Jan 2, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 63.9% at Cornell vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Cornell vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell 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).

• Cornell University's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $36,400 more per year than Dickinson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than Dickinson College graduates ($12,000 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dickinson College graduates ($124 vs. $217).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 87%)

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.