Purchase College vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY with Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY at Purchase College is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (3,333 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY at Purchase College is located in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY at Purchase College 12:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

Purchase College vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Purchase College 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 SUNY at Purchase College than Dickinson College ($18,211 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 3.9% lower than at Dickinson College ($16,436 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 633.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $56,697 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 241.9% higher at Dickinson College than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $46,447 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at SUNY at Purchase College (96% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 326.4% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($44,479 vs. $10,432).

Purchase College vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Purchase College 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 Purchase College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 110 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming Dickinson College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 27/30; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Purchase College - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purchase College Jul 1, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Purchase College vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Purchase College vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Purchase College 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 SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $21,800 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Purchase College graduates ($21,000 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Purchase College graduates ($217 vs. $232).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College 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.