Dickinson College vs Union College

Dickinson College and Union College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Dickinson, located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, boasts a lower acceptance rate (29%) compared to Union's 32% in Schenectady, New York. Dickinson's student body is slightly larger, with an undergraduate population of 2,300 compared to Union's 2,100. While both colleges offer a diverse range of majors, Dickinson is known for its strengths in the social sciences and humanities, while Union excels in engineering and the natural sciences. With graduation rates hovering around 88% for both institutions, students can expect a supportive academic environment that fosters success. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these colleges' unique offerings and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Dickinson College	Union College
Overview
Location	Carlisle, Pennsylvania	Schenectady, New York
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Trimester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate
Students retention rate	92.0%	91.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	48.1%	47.0%
Application fees	$65	$60
SAT range	N/A	1270 - 1450
ACT range	N/A	28 - 32
Students submitting SAT score		37.0%
Students submitting ACT score		16.0%
Total number of applicants	6,366	7,470
Total number of admissions given out	3,061	3,513
Admitted students who chose to enroll	677	565
Yield rate	22.1%	16.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$77,300	$77,385
Average net price	$20,913	$39,101
Tuition	$58,158	$61,308
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,866 Meal plan: $7,386	Room/dormitory: $8,370 Meal plan: $6,828
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	92.0% Average amount $39,555	87.0% Average amount $36,604
Students receiving federal student loan	41.0% Average amount $3,696	48.0% Average amount $5,087
Students taking out private loans	16.0% Average amount $9,232	14.0% Average amount $20,017

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	2,180 Men 42.1% Women 57.9%	2,096 Men 54.9% Women 45.1%
Graduate students	6 Men 33.3% Women 66.7%	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	N/A
International students	12.3%	9.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	2,118	2,049
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	N/A

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

Outcome
Graduation rate	82.4%	84.5%
Dropout rate	17.6%	14.6%
Transferred out	N/A	0.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	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	Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,637 Year 2: $67,812 Year 3: $76,098 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $50,348 Year 2: $58,673 Year 3: $74,456 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $36,171 Year 2: $41,565 Year 3: $54,902 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $36,157 Year 2: $35,060 Year 3: $47,142 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,375 Year 2: $34,081 Year 3: $44,570 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,903 Year 2: $39,585 Year 3: $41,845 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: N/A Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $59,124 Year 3: N/A Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $63,392 Year 3: N/A English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $20,824 Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Dickinson College and Union College?

Dickinson College, located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, is a smaller, more historically focused liberal arts college with a strong emphasis on global education and sustainability. Union College, situated in Schenectady, New York, is slightly larger and offers a blend of liberal arts and engineering programs, known for its interdisciplinary approach and undergraduate research opportunities.
Which college is larger, Dickinson or Union?

Union College is slightly larger than Dickinson College. Union typically enrolls around 2,200 undergraduates, while Dickinson has approximately 2,400.
Where are Dickinson College and Union College located?

Dickinson College is located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, a historic town near Harrisburg. Union College is located in Schenectady, New York, a city in the Capital Region of New York State.
Which college has a stronger focus on engineering programs?

Union College is known for its strong engineering programs, offering Bachelor of Science degrees in various engineering disciplines. Dickinson College does not offer engineering programs.
How do Dickinson and Union approach liberal arts education?

Both Dickinson and Union offer a strong liberal arts education. Dickinson emphasizes a global and interdisciplinary approach, with a focus on preparing students for engaged citizenship. Union also promotes interdisciplinary learning, encouraging students to connect different fields of study and engage in research.
What are the opportunities for undergraduate research at Dickinson and Union?

Both colleges provide ample opportunities for undergraduate research. Union College is particularly known for its undergraduate research programs, especially in science and engineering. Dickinson also offers research opportunities across various disciplines, often with a global or sustainability focus.
How do the campuses of Dickinson and Union compare?

Dickinson College's campus is located in a historic small town, offering a traditional college atmosphere. Union College's campus features a mix of historic and modern buildings, reflecting its blend of liberal arts and engineering. Both campuses are walkable and offer a vibrant student life.
What is the student life like at Dickinson and Union?

Both Dickinson and Union offer a vibrant student life with a variety of clubs, organizations, and activities. Dickinson has a strong focus on sustainability and global engagement, reflected in its student organizations. Union offers a diverse range of activities, including Greek life, performing arts, and athletic programs.
How do the costs of attending Dickinson and Union compare?

The cost of attendance at both Dickinson and Union is comparable, as both are private liberal arts colleges. It's best to check the official websites of each college for the most up-to-date tuition and fees information. Both institutions also offer financial aid and scholarships to eligible students.
Which college is known for its focus on global education?

Dickinson College is particularly known for its strong focus on global education, with a wide range of study abroad programs and a commitment to preparing students for a globalized world.
What kind of student would thrive at Dickinson College?

A student who is passionate about global issues, sustainability, and a close-knit community would thrive at Dickinson College. Someone who enjoys a traditional liberal arts experience with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and engaged citizenship would also be a good fit.
What kind of student would thrive at Union College?

A student who is interested in both liberal arts and engineering, and who values interdisciplinary learning and research opportunities, would thrive at Union College. Someone who enjoys a blend of academic rigor and a vibrant campus life would also be a good fit.
Do Dickinson and Union have strong alumni networks?

Yes, both Dickinson and Union have strong and active alumni networks that can provide valuable connections and support for graduates.
What are some popular majors at Dickinson College?

Popular majors at Dickinson College include International Studies, Political Science, Environmental Studies, Economics, and English.
What are some popular majors at Union College?

Popular majors at Union College include Engineering (various disciplines), Economics, Biology, Political Science, and Psychology.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.

Dickinson College vs Union College

Dickinson College

Union College

Overview

Admission

Tuition and Fees

Financial Aid

Students and Campus

Academics

Outcome

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Dickinson College and Union College?

Which college is larger, Dickinson or Union?

Where are Dickinson College and Union College located?

Which college has a stronger focus on engineering programs?

How do Dickinson and Union approach liberal arts education?

What are the opportunities for undergraduate research at Dickinson and Union?

How do the campuses of Dickinson and Union compare?

What is the student life like at Dickinson and Union?

How do the costs of attending Dickinson and Union compare?

Which college is known for its focus on global education?

What kind of student would thrive at Dickinson College?

What kind of student would thrive at Union College?

Do Dickinson and Union have strong alumni networks?

What are some popular majors at Dickinson College?

What are some popular majors at Union College?

Compare Similar Colleges

Find Colleges By State

Resources

About