Duke vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

Compare Duke University in Durham, NC with Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Duke University is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Duke University is located in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Duke University 5:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

Duke vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duke or Dickinson 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 Duke University than Dickinson College ($21,981 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson College are 5.7% lower than at Duke University ($17,100 vs. $18,128).
• Duke University is 4.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dickinson College (about $3,108 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at Duke than at Dickinson College (about $3,108 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $65,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Duke University (96% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 47.3% larger than aid received by Dickinson College students ($65,522 vs. $44,479).

Duke vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 150 points higher than at Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming Duke students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Dickinson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 1500/1570; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 34/35; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duke - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 58.8% at Duke vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Duke vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duke and Dickinson 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).

• Duke University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $46,900 more per year than Dickinson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $13,500 lower median loan debt than Dickinson College graduates ($7,500 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $140 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dickinson College graduates ($77 vs. $217).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Duke students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.