Dickinson College
Dickinson College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Dickinson College at a Glance
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 gov…
1773
253 years old
$720M
$720 million (2025)
2,420
272
170 acres
Identity
Is Dickinson College Worth It?
At a value score of 38/100, Dickinson College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $70,204 — 31% above average — while paying $37,607/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.1-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 82% graduation rate means roughly 18% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Dickinson College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Dickinson College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #14 of 20 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | St Olaf College | 57 | $23,874 | $65,543 |
| #2 | Rhodes College | 48 | $28,585 | $66,651 |
| #3 | Brandeis University | 47 | $35,736 | $77,231 |
| #4 | Mount Holyoke College | 47 | $26,441 | $58,418 |
| #5 | Gettysburg College | 47 | $31,490 | $71,517 |
| #6 | Furman University | 45 | $30,308 | $68,635 |
| #14 | Dickinson College | 38 | $37,607 | $70,204 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Dickinson College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in PA.
Best Programs at Dickinson College
The highest-earning program at Dickinson College is International Business at $49,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Natural Resources Conservation and Research at $23,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a International Business graduate from Dickinson College earns $49,900, while a Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduate earns $23,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: International Business graduates carry $19,000 in median debt vs. $19,000 for Natural Resources Conservation and Research.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $37,607/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Business | $49,900 | $49,900 | $19,000 |
| Mathematics | $44,000 | $44,000 | N/A |
| Economics | $43,800 | $43,800 | $19,000 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $42,100 | $42,100 | $19,000 |
| Psychology, General | $40,900 | $40,900 | $19,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $36,600 | $36,600 | $19,000 |
| Area Studies | $34,600 | $34,600 | $19,000 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $31,000 | $31,000 | $19,000 |
| History | $29,000 | $29,000 | $19,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $28,200 | $28,200 | $19,000 |
| Biology, General | $26,400 | $26,400 | $19,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $23,500 | $23,500 | $19,000 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Carlisle, PA
- Student Body
- 2,273 students
- Admission Rate
- 42%
- Graduation Rate
- 82%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $37,607
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $70,204
- Median Student Debt
- $19,000