Dickinson College vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

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

Lafayette College is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (2,775 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dickinson College is located in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dickinson College 11:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Dickinson College vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dickinson College or Lafayette 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 Lafayette College than Dickinson College ($38,442 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson College are 13.9% lower than at Lafayette College ($17,100 vs. $19,866).
• Dickinson College is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lafayette College (about $252 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at Dickinson College than at Lafayette College (about $252 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Lafayette College (96% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 0.5% larger than aid received by Dickinson College students ($44,707 vs. $44,479).

Dickinson College vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lafayette College (1430) is 40 points higher than at Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming Lafayette College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Dickinson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 1310/1460; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 30/33; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dickinson College - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than Lafayette College (31.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at Dickinson College vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Dickinson College vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dickinson College and Lafayette 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).

• Lafayette College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $19,000 more per year than Dickinson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($21,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($217 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dickinson College students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 89%)

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.