Princeton vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

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

Princeton University is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

Princeton vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton 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 Princeton University than Dickinson College ($15,313 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson College are 15.6% lower than at Princeton University ($17,100 vs. $20,250).
• Dickinson College is 4.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $2,962 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at Dickinson College than at Princeton University (about $2,962 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Princeton University (96% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 54.5% larger than aid received by Dickinson College students ($68,727 vs. $44,479).

Princeton vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton 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 Princeton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 160 points higher than at Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming Princeton 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: Princeton University 1510/1580; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Princeton vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $51,900 more per year than Dickinson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $13,500 lower median loan debt than Dickinson College graduates ($7,500 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, Princeton 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 Princeton students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 83%)

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.