Davidson College vs Dickinson College

Davidson College and Dickinson College, both highly regarded liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Davidson, located in Davidson, North Carolina, boasts a slightly larger student body and a higher acceptance rate compared to Dickinson, situated in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. While both colleges excel in the humanities and social sciences, Davidson is known for its strong pre-professional programs, particularly in business and engineering, while Dickinson emphasizes interdisciplinary studies and international education. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further differences, including student demographics, popular majors, graduation rates, and more, to determine which college aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Davidson College	Dickinson College
Overview
Location	Davidson, North Carolina	Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	95.0%	92.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation	Presbyterian

Admission
Acceptance rate	17.8%	48.1%
Application fees	$50	$65
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants	6,434	6,366
Total number of admissions given out	1,145	3,061
Admitted students who chose to enroll	547	677
Yield rate	47.8%	22.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$73,200	$77,300
Average net price	$25,794	$20,913
Tuition	$54,460	$58,158
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,700 Meal plan: $7,525	Room/dormitory: $7,866 Meal plan: $7,386
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	64.0% Average amount $47,889	92.0% Average amount $39,555
Students receiving federal student loan	10.0% Average amount $5,095	41.0% Average amount $3,696
Students taking out private loans	2.0% Average amount $33,219	16.0% Average amount $9,232

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	1,973 Men 47.2% Women 52.8%	2,180 Men 42.1% Women 57.9%
Graduate students	N/A	6 Men 33.3% Women 66.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	76.8%	N/A
International students	8.2%	12.3%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	1,830	2,118
First year students are required to live on campus?	Yes	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	North Carolina Virginia Texas New Jersey Florida	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Psychology Physical Science Social Sciences Foreign Languages and Literatures Ethnic Studies	Social Sciences Biological and Biomedical Sciences Foreign Languages and Literatures Ethnic Studies Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	10:1	9:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	89.6%	82.4%
Dropout rate	10.0%	17.6%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Economics (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $60,797 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $80,388 Political Science and Government (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $42,752 Year 2: $45,715 Year 3: $53,747 Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $43,240 Year 3: N/A English Language and Literature, General (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $41,099 Year 2: $35,330 Year 3: N/A Biology, General (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $31,670 Year 3: N/A Psychology, General (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $34,292 Year 2: $28,598 Year 3: N/A Anthropology (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $29,685 Year 3: N/A History (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $22,075 Year 3: N/A	International Business (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,304 Year 2: $51,750 Year 3: $73,244 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $48,684 Year 2: $50,320 Year 3: $56,449 International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $48,823 Year 3: $55,723 Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $38,289 Year 3: $49,550 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $23,461 Year 2: $30,409 Year 3: $48,836 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $38,322 Year 2: $40,737 Year 3: $43,711 English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $33,993 Year 3: $43,177 History (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $26,473 Year 2: $28,598 Year 3: $42,465 Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $38,289 Year 3: $40,634 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $32,617 Year 2: $28,598 Year 3: $38,644

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences between Davidson College and Dickinson College?

Davidson College, located in Davidson, North Carolina, is known for its strong emphasis on honor and integrity, often attracting students interested in pre-professional fields and leadership. Dickinson College, situated in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, emphasizes global education and civic engagement, drawing students passionate about international affairs and social justice. Davidson is generally considered slightly more selective and may have a stronger presence in the South, while Dickinson boasts a longer history and a more established international studies program.
How do Davidson and Dickinson compare in terms of academic focus?

Davidson offers a broad liberal arts curriculum with notable strengths in economics, political science, and biology. It's also known for its pre-med and pre-law advising. Dickinson's academic focus is heavily influenced by its global perspective, with strong programs in international studies, environmental science, and languages. Both colleges offer a range of humanities and social science disciplines, but their emphasis and specific program offerings differ.
What is the campus environment like at Davidson versus Dickinson?

Davidson's campus is located in a quintessential college town, offering a more traditional and close-knit community feel. It's often described as having a strong sense of school spirit and a focus on residential life. Dickinson's campus, while also located in a small town, has a more urban feel due to its proximity to Harrisburg and other larger cities. Dickinson emphasizes experiential learning and engagement with the surrounding community, fostering a more outward-focused campus environment.
How do the student bodies at Davidson and Dickinson differ?

While both colleges attract academically strong students, Davidson tends to draw a slightly more regionally diverse student body, with a larger proportion coming from the Southeast. Dickinson has a strong international student presence and attracts students from across the United States who are interested in global issues. Both colleges are committed to diversity and inclusion, but their specific demographics and areas of focus may vary.
What are the career prospects like for graduates of Davidson and Dickinson?

Graduates from both Davidson and Dickinson are well-prepared for a variety of career paths. Davidson's strong alumni network and pre-professional programs often lead to careers in finance, consulting, and medicine. Dickinson's emphasis on global education and civic engagement prepares students for careers in international affairs, government, non-profit organizations, and environmental fields. Both colleges provide career services and resources to help students explore their options and secure employment.
How do the costs of attending Davidson and Dickinson compare?

The cost of attendance at both Davidson and Dickinson is comparable, as they are both highly selective liberal arts colleges. However, the actual cost for individual students will vary depending on their financial aid package. Both colleges offer need-based and merit-based scholarships, and it's important to compare the financial aid offers from each institution to determine the most affordable option.
What are the athletic programs like at Davidson and Dickinson?

Davidson College is a Division I school, with a strong basketball program and a broader range of competitive sports. Dickinson College is a Division III school, emphasizing participation and a balance between academics and athletics. While both offer a variety of sports, Davidson's Division I status means a higher level of competition and a greater emphasis on athletic performance, while Dickinson focuses on providing opportunities for a wider range of students to participate in intercollegiate athletics.
What are some similarities between Davidson College and Dickinson College?

Both Davidson and Dickinson are highly respected liberal arts colleges that offer a rigorous academic experience, small class sizes, and a strong sense of community. They both emphasize critical thinking, communication skills, and a well-rounded education. Both colleges are committed to providing students with opportunities for research, internships, and study abroad, preparing them for success in their chosen fields.
Which college is better for me: Davidson or Dickinson?

The 'better' college depends entirely on your individual interests, goals, and preferences. If you're drawn to a traditional college town, a strong sense of honor, and pre-professional programs, Davidson might be a better fit. If you're passionate about global issues, civic engagement, and a more outward-focused campus environment, Dickinson could be a better choice. Visiting both campuses and talking to current students is highly recommended to help you make an informed decision.
How do Davidson and Dickinson handle study abroad opportunities?

Both Davidson and Dickinson offer extensive study abroad programs, but their approaches differ slightly. Dickinson is particularly known for its global study programs, with a long history of establishing programs in various countries and a strong emphasis on language immersion. Davidson also offers a wide range of study abroad options, often partnering with other institutions and focusing on integrating the study abroad experience into the overall academic curriculum. Both colleges provide advising and support to help students find the program that best fits their academic and personal goals.

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