Dartmouth vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

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

Dartmouth College is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (6,938 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Dartmouth vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dartmouth 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 Dartmouth College than Dickinson College ($20,322 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson College are 14.5% lower than at Dartmouth College ($17,100 vs. $19,999).
• Dartmouth College is 4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dickinson College (about $2,618 more per year; $68,268.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at Dartmouth than at Dickinson College (about $2,618 more per year; $68,268.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Dartmouth College (96% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dartmouth College students is 51.7% larger than aid received by Dickinson College students ($67,471 vs. $44,479).

Dartmouth vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dartmouth 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 Dartmouth.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dartmouth College (1540) is 150 points higher than at Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming Dartmouth 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: Dartmouth College 1500/1570; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dartmouth College 33/35; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dartmouth - Required; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dartmouth Jan 3, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than Dartmouth (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.1% at Dartmouth vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Dartmouth vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dartmouth 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).

• Dartmouth College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from Dartmouth College earn a median of about $42,000 more per year than Dickinson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($104,000 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dartmouth College graduates have a $7,539 lower median loan debt than Dickinson College graduates ($13,461 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, Dartmouth 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 Dartmouth 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.