Dickinson College vs. Whitman College

Comparable Facts

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

Dickinson College is larger than Whitman College based on total student enrollment (2,314 students vs. 1,561 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Dickinson College vs. Whitman College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dickinson College or Whitman 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 Whitman College than Dickinson College ($37,633 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whitman College are 11.8% lower than at Dickinson College ($15,080 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 2.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Whitman College (about $1,600 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $64,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.5% higher at Dickinson College than at Whitman College (about $1,600 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $64,050.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Whitman College (96% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 9.9% larger than aid received by Whitman College students ($44,479 vs. $40,489).

Dickinson College vs. Whitman College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Whitman College (1400) is 10 points higher than at Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming Dickinson College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at Whitman College (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 1310/1460; Whitman College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 30/33; Whitman College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dickinson College - Test optional; Whitman College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027; Whitman College Jan 15, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than Whitman College (38.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at Dickinson College vs. 14.1% at Whitman College.

Dickinson College vs. Whitman College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dickinson College and Whitman 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).

• Whitman College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Whitman College graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Whitman College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Dickinson College graduates ($17,500 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, Whitman College graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dickinson College graduates ($180 vs. $217).
• More Whitman College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dickinson College students, three years after graduation. (93% 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.