Admit rate has ranged 35%–52% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. 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.
Dickinson College is a small, selective liberal arts college in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, known for its rigorous academics, global perspective, and tight-knit community. With a 42% acceptance rate and a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, Dickinson attracts students who thrive in an intimate, intellectually vibrant setting. The college boasts an 83% graduation rate and a reputation for producing graduates who excel in law, medicine, and business.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Demonstrated competencies
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
2,273
In-state tuition
$65,650
Out-of-state tuition
$65,650
Location
Carlisle, PA
Notable Majors
Social Sciences, Biology, Business
Acceptance Rate
42%
Student-Faculty Ratio
9:1
4-Year Graduation Rate
72%
6-Year Graduation Rate
83%
Average Financial Aid Package
$57,315
Median Earnings (1 Year Post-Grad)
$38,320
Median Earnings (5 Years Post-Grad)
$71,404
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$70,204
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
1.9×
Median debt at graduation
$19,000
Graduation rate
80%
First-year retention
92%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
88%
Pell (lower-income) share
29%
First-generation share
12%
Endowment / student
$276,088
Financial health
2.7 / 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.
Public Policy Analysis$55,338
Mathematics$53,358
International Business$51,750
Economics$50,320
International Relations and National Security Studies$48,823
Sociology$44,356
Psychology, General
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
13
Per 1,000 students
5.72
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
88
Summer high
85°F
Winter low
27°F
Annual rain
40.5"
Annual snow
20.7"
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
105
Scholarly works
3,996
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
1.2%
Bottom → top quintile
54%
From bottom quintile
2%
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 Dickinson College?
Dickinson College's acceptance rate is approximately 42% (Carlisle, PA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Dickinson College?
Admitted students at Dickinson College typically score 1310–1460 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Dickinson College cost?
At Dickinson College, the average net price (after aid) is about $37,607 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Dickinson College?
Dickinson College enrolls approximately 2,273 undergraduate students.
Where is Dickinson College located?
Dickinson College is located in Carlisle, PA.
Admissions
Dickinson College is selective, with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. of 42% (as of recent data). The middle 50% of admitted students typically score between 1330–1440 on the SAT or comparable ACT scores, though the college maintains a test-optional policy. About 48% of admitted students ranked in the top 10% of their high school class. The YieldThe share of admitted students who actually choose to enroll. Colleges watch it closely, which is why some weigh how interested you seem. rate—the percentage of admitted students who enroll—hovers around 20-22%, reflecting the competitive landscape for liberal arts colleges. Dickinson's admissions process emphasizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone., with no open-admission policy.
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.
$42,682
Political Science and Government$40,737
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.
Academics
Dickinson offers 40+ academic programs across the liberal arts and sciences, with standout departments in Social Sciences (23% of majors), Biological and Biomedical Sciences (14%), and Business (9%). The college is praised for its flexible, interdisciplinary approach and faculty who are deeply invested in student success. Alumni frequently excel in law, medicine, research, and the arts. The academic rigor is often compared to Ivy League and Little Ivy schools, with a strong emphasis on critical thinking and global perspectives. Students can pursue minors, certificates, and graduate tracks alongside their majors.
Life at Dickinson revolves around a close-knit community with a surprising breadth of activities for its size. The college offers:
100+ clubs and organizations, from a cappella groups to social justice initiatives.
A robust residential life program, with themed housing and leadership opportunities.
A progressive, inclusive vibe, with students describing the campus as "welcoming" and "friendly."
Social life balances campus events (speakers, concerts) with off-campus exploration in Carlisle and nearby cities. The small size fosters strong connections, though some students note the need to seek out niche social circles to avoid feeling constrained.
83% graduate within 6 years (well above the national average for 4-year colleges).
Median earnings 1 year post-graduation: $38,320 (rising to $71,404 after 5 years).
82% of graduates earn more than the average high school grad.
Top fields for alumni include law, medicine, and business, with salaries varying by major (e.g., Sociology grads average $31,788, while History grads earn $26,000). The college's career support and alumni network contribute to strong employment outcomes.
Dickinson's sticker price is high ($89,797 for tuition, fees, and room/board), but the college meets 62% of students' financial need with an average aid package of $57,315. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. for many families is $38,483, though lower-income students may pay closer to $40,755. The college offers a Net Price Calculator to estimate individualized costs. While the price tag is steep, Dickinson emphasizes accessibility, with aid packages often including grants, scholarships, and work-study opportunities.
Dickinson combines the intimacy of a small liberal arts college with the rigor and resources of a larger university. Its global focus (language programs, study abroad) and emphasis on practical liberal arts—preparing students for careers without sacrificing intellectual depth—set it apart. The campus culture is progressive and engaged, with a strong sense of community. While not as famous as some peers, Dickinson punches above its weight in outcomes, with alumni thriving in competitive fields. For students who want a personalized, globally minded education, it’s a standout choice.
Dickinson College logo · sourceDickinson College - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges · sourcePlan Your Visit | Dickinson College · sourceHouse Divided Project Leads to Name Changes for Campus Buildings | Dickinson College · source
