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Colleges / Dickinson College

Dickinson College

Carlisle, PA 4-Year Private
Acceptance Rate48%
Acceptance Rate48%

Dickinson College Tuition Information

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Dickinson College was $60,776 a year.

Tuition increased 4.5% in 2022–from $58,158 the previous year. On average, college tuition rises about 3% year.

If these numbers seem daunting, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students owe far less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. And, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay out of pocket more manageable until you're done with college.

Dickinson College: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Dickinson College is a private, nonprofit institution, which means it has the same tuition for residents of Pennsylvania as it does for students who live in other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a school where you are eligible for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan save significant money on the total cost of attending college. Don't forget to confirm your state's rules for in-state tuition. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be other criteria as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other Pennsylvania colleges

Is Dickinson College's Tuition Different for International Students?

Tuition at Dickinson College is the same for each student.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for federal financial aid, but should research private or school-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Dickinson College:

•On-campus jobs •Dickinson College-specific loans •Dickinson College-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.


Dickinson College Housing Expenses, Fees, and More


In addition to tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when budgeting for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Dickinson College.

House and Food Costs at Dickinson College

Room and board at Dickinson College costs $15,938 a year. This number includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining facilities.

Board costs may vary depending on the numnber of meals you intend to eat on-campus

Cost of Books at Dickinson College

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be additional fees associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools offer ways so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

The Cost of Transportation at Dickinson College

The cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. At Dickinson College, freshman are not allowed to park on campus.

The location of a college or university can impact transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand transportation in an urban area could be pricey, but there may be more trains, busses or affordable flights to actually get to school. Dickinson Collegeis in a suburban setting in Pennsylvania, not far from Harrisburg.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, be sure to factor in personal expenses, like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.


The Full Cost of Attending Dickinson College


Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending Dickinson College.

Total Cost of Dickinson College

What will the cost of attending Dickinson College be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition $60,776
Room and Board $15,938
Other expenses $1,628

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus $80,216
Off-Campus $64,278

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.


Financial Aid at Dickinson College


The majority of Dickinson College undergrads use financial aid to finance their education. In 2022, 1,401 of the 2,173 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Dickinson College meets 98.7% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $51,324 a year. Around 55% of Dickinson College undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Dickinson College graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $28,244 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $18,075
State Loans $71,618
Dickinson College-Specific Loans $8,446
Private Loans $49,419
Most Common Loans for Dickinson College Students
Federal Loans 46%
Institutional Loans 28%
Private loans 9%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Dickinson College financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Dickinson College

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2022, Dickinson College awarded 1,386 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $64.7 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $10.74 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Dickinson College

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Dickinson College students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Dickinson College was $51,324 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Dickinson College seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus $28,892
Off-Campus $12,954

What will attending Dickinson College really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Dickinson College's net cost calculator on their website.

Dickinson College Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Dickinson College offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Dickinson College Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Dickinson College has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.


Learn More About Dickinson College


To learn more about Dickinson College, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about Dickinson College

Dickinson College Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$78,588

In State

$78,588

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$60,776
$60,776
Fees
$550
$550
Housing
$15,938
$15,938
Books
$1,324
$1,324

Dickinson College Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

65%

Average Financial Aid Package

$52,124

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

2,179

Campus Setting

Suburban

Acceptance Rate

48%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$61,326

Out-of-State

$61,326

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Jan 15
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