UNCSA vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston Salem, 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 UNCSA based on total student enrollment (2,314 students vs. 1,111 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is located in Winston Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

UNCSA vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCSA 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 University of North Carolina School of the Arts than Dickinson College ($13,140 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts are 21% lower than at Dickinson College ($13,517 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 592.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $56,173 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 141.3% higher at Dickinson College than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (about $38,439 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $27,211.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (96% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 245.4% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students ($44,479 vs. $12,876).

UNCSA vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNCSA 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 UNCSA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 130 points higher than at UNCSA (1260).
• Incoming Dickinson College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at UNCSA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 1140/1370; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCSA - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCSA Mar 15, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.5% at UNCSA vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

UNCSA vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCSA 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 University of North Carolina School of the Arts's (58%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $22,900 more per year than UNCSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than UNCSA graduates ($21,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($217 vs. $279).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCSA students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 56%)

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.