Dickinson College
A good fit for students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $64,100 within 10 years; strong 80% graduation rate.
About This School
Dickinson College is a private nonprofit institution located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania with approximately 2,273 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 42% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $37,607 per year. The graduation rate is 80%, and the typical graduate earns $64,100 within 10 years of enrollment.
Dickinson College is a private liberal arts college in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1773 as Carlisle Grammar School, Dickinson was chartered on September 9, 1783, making it the first college to be founded after the formation of the United States. Dickinson was founded by Benjamin Rush, a Founding Father and signer of the Declaration of Independence. The college is named in honor of John Dickinson, a Founding Father who voted to ratify the Constitution and later served as governor of Pennsylvania, and his wife Mary Norris Dickinson, who donated much of their extensive personal libraries to the new college.
This small liberal arts college with deep historical roots — founded in 1783 and chartered by Benjamin Rush — is worth considering if you want a tight-knit academic community (just 2,157 undergrads) with a genuine commitment to global education and a respectable 83% graduation rate. The financial picture is relatively reasonable: median debt at graduation sits at just $17,294, and median earnings of $64,100 a decade out suggest graduates land on solid footing. The one honest caveat is that at $32,191/year average net price, it's still a meaningful investment for a school that isn't a household name, so make sure the campus culture and location in Carlisle, PA genuinely appeal to you — not just the prestige of its founding story.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 11% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2,273 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Pennsylvania
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Temple University
Philadelphia, PA · Public
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA · Public
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA · Public
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit
Community College of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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