Dickinson College vs Denison University

Dickinson College and Denison University, both highly regarded liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Dickinson, located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, boasts a slightly higher acceptance rate (34%) compared to Denison's 29%. Dickinson's student body is more diverse, with international students comprising 13% of the population, while Denison's international student population stands at 9%. Both colleges excel in academics, with popular majors including Economics, Political Science, and English. However, Dickinson has a slightly higher graduation rate (88%) compared to Denison's 86%. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these two exceptional institutions. Dive into the details and discover which college aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Denison University	Dickinson College
Overview
Location	Granville, Ohio	Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Campus setting	Suburb: Small	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	87.0%	92.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	28.3%	48.1%
Application fees		$65
SAT range	1230 - 1430	N/A
ACT range	28 - 32	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	28.0%
Students submitting ACT score	23.0%
Total number of applicants	9,513	6,366
Total number of admissions given out	2,689	3,061
Admitted students who chose to enroll	654	677
Yield rate	24.3%	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	$73,900	$77,300
Average net price	$38,833	$20,913
Tuition	$57,500	$58,158
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,700 Meal plan: $6,560	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)	96.0% Average amount $34,310	92.0% Average amount $39,555
Students receiving federal student loan	41.0% Average amount $5,126	41.0% Average amount $3,696
Students taking out private loans	8.0% Average amount $15,550	16.0% Average amount $9,232

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	2,321 Men 47.8% Women 52.2%	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	74.8%	N/A
International students	16.8%	12.3%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Small	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	2,479	2,118
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Ohio Illinois Mississippi Pennsylvania New York	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Social Sciences Foreign Languages and Literatures Business Computer and Information Science Visual & Performing Arts	Social Sciences Biological and Biomedical Sciences Foreign Languages and Literatures Ethnic Studies Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	9:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	81.3%	82.4%
Dropout rate	4.1%	17.6%
Transferred out	14.4%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $53,668 Year 2: $50,439 Year 3: $60,027 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $37,208 Year 3: $45,885 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $25,270 Year 2: $32,569 Year 3: $45,530 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $38,133 Year 2: $36,134 Year 3: $45,058 International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $35,060 Year 3: $44,127 Education, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $35,288 Year 2: $30,771 Year 3: $39,071 Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $29,685 Year 3: $35,840 Sociology and Anthropology (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $28,362 Year 2: $23,649 Year 3: $35,544 Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $27,013 Year 2: $24,421 Year 3: $33,940 Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $35,424 Year 2: $33,993 Year 3: $33,345	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 academic differences between Dickinson College and Denison University?

Dickinson College emphasizes a strong liberal arts foundation with a focus on global education and sustainability. It's known for its rigorous academics and opportunities for interdisciplinary study. Denison University also offers a broad liberal arts curriculum, but it's often perceived as having a slightly more flexible approach, allowing students to explore a wider range of interests. Denison is also known for its strong programs in the arts and sciences.
How do the campus environments of Dickinson and Denison compare?

Dickinson College has a historic, close-knit campus located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. It offers a traditional college town feel with easy access to outdoor activities. Denison University boasts a beautiful, spacious campus in Granville, Ohio, with a more expansive feel. Denison's campus is known for its architecture and natural beauty, and it's located near Columbus, providing access to a larger city environment.
What is the student life like at Dickinson versus Denison?

Both colleges offer a vibrant student life, but the atmosphere differs. Dickinson fosters a strong sense of community and is known for its active student organizations and focus on social justice. Denison has a lively social scene, with a strong Greek life presence and a wide variety of clubs and activities. Denison's proximity to Columbus also provides more off-campus entertainment options.
How do the costs of attendance compare at Dickinson and Denison?

The overall cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room, and board, is generally comparable at both Dickinson and Denison. However, specific financial aid packages can vary. It's recommended to check the net price calculators on each college's website and apply for financial aid to determine the actual cost for your individual circumstances.
What are the strengths of Dickinson's academic programs?

Dickinson is particularly strong in international studies, environmental studies, and pre-law programs. Its emphasis on global education, including study abroad opportunities, is a significant draw for students interested in international affairs and cross-cultural understanding. Dickinson also has a strong reputation for its writing program.
What are the strengths of Denison's academic programs?

Denison University excels in the arts, sciences, and social sciences. It has well-regarded programs in theater, music, and studio art. Denison also offers strong programs in pre-med and pre-business, and its location near Columbus provides valuable internship and networking opportunities.
How do the alumni networks of Dickinson and Denison differ?

Both Dickinson and Denison have active and supportive alumni networks. Dickinson's network is particularly strong in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, reflecting its geographic location. Denison's alumni network is more geographically diverse, with a strong presence in major cities across the United States, including the Midwest and East Coast.
What are the typical class sizes at Dickinson and Denison?

Both Dickinson and Denison prioritize small class sizes and personalized attention. You can expect to find a low student-to-faculty ratio at both institutions, with most classes having fewer than 25 students. This allows for more interaction with professors and a more engaging learning environment.
How does the location of Dickinson and Denison impact student experiences?

Dickinson's location in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, provides a traditional college town experience with easy access to outdoor recreation and historical sites. Its proximity to major cities like Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., offers additional opportunities. Denison's location in Granville, Ohio, offers a more suburban setting with access to the larger city of Columbus, providing a wider range of cultural, social, and professional opportunities.
Which college is better for students interested in study abroad?

Both Dickinson and Denison strongly encourage study abroad. Dickinson, however, has a particularly strong emphasis on global education and offers a wide range of study abroad programs, making it a particularly attractive option for students seeking international experiences. Denison also has excellent study abroad programs, but Dickinson's focus is more pronounced.

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