Campus Vibe
Strong graduate outcomes — known for biology
Dickinson College is a private institution in Carlisle with particular strength in biology and business.
A mid-sized campus of 2.2K undergraduates with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.
83% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $70,204 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $32,191.
Campus Visits
Plan Your Visit
News & Alerts
Dickinson College Launches New Data Science Minor
Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.
Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27
The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.
Admissions
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
59.9%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.2%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$17,294
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
16
Peer Average
13
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Programs (37)
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
89%
- •89% first-year retention rate
- •Active student organizations
- •Engaged campus community
Mental Health Services
Counselor Ratio
1:350
24/7 Crisis Line
Yes
Free Sessions
12 per year
Avg Wait
5 days
Walk-in hours available weekdays
Disability Services
ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements
Dining
Rating
★★★★☆
Score
4/5
Meal Plan
$6,200/yr
Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Rankings
More About This School
Varsity Sports
History & Fun Facts
- •Dickinson College was chartered by the Pennsylvania legislature on September 9, 1783; it was the first college to be founded in the newly independent United States of America.
- •Dickinson College's location west of the Susquehanna River made it the westernmost college in the United States at the time of its 1783 founding.
- •Rush made his first journey to Carlisle to attend the first meeting of the trustees, held in April 1784.
- •The trustees selected Charles Nisbet, a Scottish minister and scholar, to serve as the college's first president.
- •He arrived and began to serve on July 4, 1785, serving until his unexpected death in 1804.
Source: Wikipedia
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Housing and food costs are higher than national average
Climate (School Year)
Nearest Cities
Transit Scores
Local Economy
Getting There
Nearest Airports
Distance to Cities
Visit Planning
Suggested Itinerary
Nearby Hotels
Airport Transit
Schools Like This
Gettysburg College
Gettysburg, PA · Town · Private
Franklin and Marshall College
Lancaster, PA · Urban · Private
Moravian University
Bethlehem, PA · Urban · Private
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA · Suburban · Private