Dickinson College vs. Drexel

Comparable Facts

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

Drexel University is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (21,153 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Dickinson College vs. Drexel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dickinson College or Drexel? 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 Dickinson College than Drexel ($38,483 vs. $42,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson College are 5.5% lower than at Drexel University ($17,100 vs. $18,096).
• Dickinson College is 5.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Drexel (about $3,238 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $62,412.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at Dickinson College than at Drexel University (about $3,238 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $62,412.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drexel University than at Dickinson College (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 26.9% larger than aid received by Drexel University students ($44,479 vs. $35,051).

Dickinson College vs. Drexel Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dickinson College or Drexel? 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 Drexel and Dickinson College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 50 points higher than at Drexel (1340).
• Incoming Dickinson College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 29 at Drexel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 1310/1460; Drexel University 1240/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 30/33; Drexel University 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dickinson College - Test optional; Drexel - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027; Drexel Jan 15, 2027.
• Drexel has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at Dickinson College vs. 8.1% at Drexel.

Dickinson College vs. Drexel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dickinson College and Drexel? 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).

• Dickinson College's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than Drexel University's (68%).
• Graduates from Drexel University earn a median of about $15,400 more per year than Dickinson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,400 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $5,243 lower median loan debt than Drexel graduates ($21,000 vs. $26,243).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drexel graduates ($217 vs. $271).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drexel students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 77%)

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.