West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCUPA) vs Dickinson College
West Chester University of Pennsylvania and Dickinson College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. West Chester, a public university, boasts an acceptance rate of 79%, while Dickinson, a private liberal arts college, maintains a more selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 34%. West Chester's diverse student body comprises over 17,000 undergraduates, while Dickinson fosters a close-knit community of approximately 2,300 undergraduates. In terms of academic offerings, West Chester excels in fields like business, education, and nursing, while Dickinson is renowned for its strengths in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with West Chester reporting a four-year graduation rate of 58% and Dickinson achieving a four-year graduation rate of 86%. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve deeper into the unique characteristics of each institution and determine which best aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Dickinson College |
![]() West Chester University of Pennsylvania |
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Overview |
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Location | Carlisle, Pennsylvania | West Chester, Pennsylvania |
Campus setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 92.0% | 85.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 48.1% | 89.4% |
Application fees | $65 |
Undergraduate:
$45
Graduate:
$50
|
SAT range | N/A | 1070 - 1250 |
ACT range | N/A | 23 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 27.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 1.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 6,366 | 14,020 |
Total number of admissions given out | 3,061 | 12,528 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 677 | 2,628 |
Yield rate | 22.1% | 21.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $77,300 |
In state:
$28,419
Out of state:
$40,243
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Average net price | $20,913 | $14,133 |
Tuition | $58,158 |
In state:
$7,716
Out of state:
$19,290
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,866
Meal plan:
$7,386
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Room/dormitory:
$5,794
Meal plan:
$3,700
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
92.0%
Average amount $39,555 |
100.0%
Average amount $4,607 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
41.0%
Average amount $3,696 |
51.0%
Average amount $5,238 |
Students taking out private loans |
16.0%
Average amount $9,232 |
11.0%
Average amount $11,835 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,180
Men 42.1% Women 57.9% |
14,471
Men 40.0% Women 60.0% |
Graduate students |
6
Men 33.3% Women 66.7% |
3,143
Men 31.7% Women 68.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 11.4% |
International students | 12.3% | 0.4% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 2,118 | 5,128 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Pennsylvania New Jersey Delaware Maryland New York |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 9:1 | 20:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 82.4% | 72.8% |
Dropout rate | 17.6% | 7.6% |
Transferred out | N/A | 18.4% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
International Business (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Managerial Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Bachelor's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
Music (Master's Degrees)
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