Dickinson College vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

Compare Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA with University of Virginia Main Campus in Charlottesville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Virginia Main Campus is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (26,409 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dickinson College is located in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting); University of Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dickinson College 11:1; University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

Dickinson College vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dickinson College or UVA? 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 University of Virginia Main Campus than Dickinson College ($18,427 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Virginia Main Campus are 13.5% lower than at Dickinson College ($14,800 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 201.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVA (about $43,847 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $21,803.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.3% higher at Dickinson College than at University of Virginia Main Campus (about $6,138 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $59,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at University of Virginia Main Campus (96% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 54.9% larger than aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students ($44,479 vs. $28,715).

Dickinson College vs. UVA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 90 points higher than at Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming UVA students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at Dickinson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 1310/1460; University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 30/33; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dickinson College - Test optional; UVA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than UVA (16.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at Dickinson College vs. 40% at UVA.

Dickinson College vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $15,200 more per year than Dickinson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia Main Campus graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Dickinson College graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, UVA graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dickinson College graduates ($201 vs. $217).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UVA students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 86%)

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.