Meredith vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

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

Dickinson College is larger than Meredith based on total student enrollment (2,314 students vs. 1,465 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Meredith College is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Meredith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Meredith College 10:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

Meredith vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Meredith 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 Meredith College than Dickinson College ($24,323 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Meredith College are 22.3% lower than at Dickinson College ($13,280 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 43.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Meredith (about $20,020 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $45,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.9% higher at Dickinson College than at Meredith College (about $20,020 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $45,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Meredith College than at Dickinson College (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 34.3% larger than aid received by Meredith College students ($44,479 vs. $33,116).

Meredith vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Meredith 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 Meredith.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 170 points higher than at Meredith (1220).
• Incoming Dickinson College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at Meredith).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Meredith College 1098/1348; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Meredith College 23/29; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Meredith - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Meredith Feb 15, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Meredith has a higher acceptance rate (74.2%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Meredith vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Meredith vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Meredith 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).

• Dickinson College's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than Meredith College's (59%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $22,000 more per year than Meredith graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Meredith graduates ($21,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Meredith graduates ($217 vs. $268).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Meredith students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 65%)

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.