Admit rate has ranged 69%–76% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Dean College is a small, private liberal arts school in Franklin, Massachusetts, where nearly three-quarters of applicants get in—but those who enroll find an intimate, hands-on education with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio and a near-guarantee of post-graduation employment. Known for its strong performing arts programs (especially dance) and a 'family' atmosphere, Dean delivers pragmatic outcomes: 96% of grads land jobs or grad school spots within a year, though median earnings start modestly at $36,427.
Admission requirements
Test-blind — scores not considered
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Letters of recommendation
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,089
In-state tuition
$46,526
Out-of-state tuition
$46,526
Location
Franklin, MA
Top Majors
Business, Dance, Sport Management
Sticker Price
$71,608
Avg Class Size
16
Acceptance Rate
73.7%
6-Year Grad Rate
53%
Early Acceptance Rate
82.8%
Student-Faculty Ratio
17:1
Median Earnings (1 Year)
$36,427
Employed/Grad School Rate
96%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$38,109
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
1.2×
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
Graduation rate
54%
First-year retention
68%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
49%
Pell (lower-income) share
55%
First-generation share
32%
Endowment / student
$63,198
Financial health
2.4 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Business Administration, Management and Operations$41,565
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$26,933
Dance$26,121
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft$20,140
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
6
Per 1,000 students
5.51
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
91
Summer high
81°F
Winter low
25°F
Annual rain
50.8"
Annual snow
31.6"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
131
Scholarly works
6,114
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
0.9%
Bottom → top quintile
9%
From bottom quintile
9%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Dean College?
Dean College's acceptance rate is approximately 74% (Franklin, MA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Dean College cost?
At Dean College, the average net price (after aid) is about $30,684 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Dean College?
Dean College enrolls approximately 1,089 undergraduate students.
Where is Dean College located?
Dean College is located in Franklin, MA.
Admissions
Dean College is decidedly not selective, accepting 73.7% of applicants (3,403 out of 4,617 in 2024). Early applicants enjoy an even higher 82.8% acceptance rate. The school describes its admissions process as 'minimally difficult'—SAT/ACT scores are optional and only considered if they benefit the applicant. Typical admitted students have ACT scores between 17-22 or SAT scores of 920-1,110. Applications are rolling, with a September 1 deadline for regular decisions.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Dean offers small classes (average size: 16 students) with a focus on career-ready skills like critical thinking and teamwork. The most popular majors are Business Administration, Dance, and Sport and Fitness Management, reflecting the school’s pragmatic bent. Recent expansions added over a dozen new programs, including tracks in Finance and Global Studies. All students complete an internship, and the college promotes study-away programs to boost intercultural fluency—though specifics on participation rates aren’t public.
Life at Dean revolves around its tight-knit, residential community (1,000+ full-time students) and top-notch facilities. Housing options include single-sex and co-ed dorms, with students describing the vibe as a 'family.' There’s no Greek life, but the college leans into its performing arts roots—expect talent shows over tailgates. The YouTube channel showcases a lively campus with events like dance showcases and leadership workshops, though niche interests might require creating your own clubs.
Dean’s 96% post-grad employment/grad school rate is its crown jewel, though earnings start low: $36,427 at the one-year mark, rising to $38,109 after a decade. The six-year graduation rate is 53%, below the national average, suggesting some students struggle to persist—possibly due to the high sticker price relative to outcomes. Still, the internship requirement and career-focused curriculum clearly pay off for most.
At $71,608 for tuition, fees, and room/board, Dean is pricey for its tier, but 73.98% of students receive aid, bringing the average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. down to $31,472. The college heavily promotes its scholarships and grants—use their net price calculator to gauge your actual cost. Still, with median graduate earnings barely above the net price, ROI is a legitimate question.
Dean’s niche is clear: a supportive, small-scale environment where B-students can thrive. The performing arts programs (especially dance) punch above their weight, and the universal internship requirement ensures grads leave with resume fodder. But it’s best for those who value hand-holding and job placement over prestige or academic rigor—and who can stomach the cost-benefit math.
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