Dickinson College vs. Penn State Berks

Comparable Facts

Compare Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA with Penn State Berks in Reading, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dickinson College is larger than Penn State Berks based on total student enrollment (2,314 students vs. 1,884 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dickinson College is located in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting); Penn State Berks is in Reading, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Berks is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dickinson College 11:1; Penn State Berks 13:1.

Dickinson College vs. Penn State Berks Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dickinson College or Penn State Berks? 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 Penn State Berks than Dickinson College ($23,721 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Berks are 15.4% lower than at Dickinson College ($14,474 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 311% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Berks (about $49,678 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 143.5% higher at Dickinson College than at Penn State Berks (about $38,692 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Penn State Berks (96% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 372.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Berks students ($44,479 vs. $9,405).

Dickinson College vs. Penn State Berks Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dickinson College or Penn State Berks? 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 Penn State Berks and Dickinson College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 210 points higher than at Penn State Berks (1180).
• Incoming Dickinson College students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 22 at Penn State Berks).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 1310/1460; Penn State Berks 1090/1275.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 30/33; Penn State Berks 18/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dickinson College - Test optional; Penn State Berks - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State Berks has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at Dickinson College vs. 9.4% at Penn State Berks.

Dickinson College vs. Penn State Berks Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dickinson College and Penn State Berks? 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 Penn State Berks's (55%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Penn State Berks graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $5,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Berks graduates ($21,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Berks graduates ($217 vs. $277).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Berks students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 69%)

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.