Dickinson College vs. Lawrence

Comparable Facts

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

Dickinson College is larger than Lawrence based on total student enrollment (2,314 students vs. 1,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dickinson College is located in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting); Lawrence University is in Appleton, WI (Small City setting).
• Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lawrence University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dickinson College 11:1; Lawrence University 7:1.

Dickinson College vs. Lawrence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dickinson College or Lawrence? 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 Lawrence University than Dickinson College ($27,161 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lawrence University are 28.9% lower than at Dickinson College ($12,165 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 15.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lawrence (about $8,668 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $56,982.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.2% higher at Dickinson College than at Lawrence University (about $8,668 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $56,982.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lawrence University than at Dickinson College (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 4.2% larger than aid received by Lawrence University students ($44,479 vs. $42,688).

Dickinson College vs. Lawrence Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 80 points higher than at Lawrence (1310).
• Incoming Dickinson College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at Lawrence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 1310/1460; Lawrence University 1200/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 30/33; Lawrence University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dickinson College - Test optional; Lawrence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027; Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
• Lawrence has a higher acceptance rate (63.9%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at Dickinson College vs. 16.8% at Lawrence.

Dickinson College vs. Lawrence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dickinson College and Lawrence? 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 Lawrence University's (77%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $16,400 more per year than Lawrence graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $6,350 lower median loan debt than Lawrence graduates ($21,000 vs. $27,350).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lawrence graduates ($217 vs. $282).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lawrence students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 76%)

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.