Dickinson College vs Colby College

Dickinson College and Colby College, both highly regarded liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Dickinson, located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, boasts a slightly higher acceptance rate (34%) compared to Colby's 18%. Dickinson's student body is more diverse, with international students comprising 13% of the population, while Colby's international student population stands at 10%. Colby, situated in Waterville, Maine, excels in STEM fields, with 38% of its graduates majoring in these disciplines. Dickinson, on the other hand, has a stronger focus on social sciences, with 35% of its graduates pursuing degrees in this area. Both colleges boast impressive graduation rates, with Dickinson's at 88% and Colby's at 92%. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these two exceptional institutions.

	Colby College	Dickinson College
Overview
Location	Waterville, Maine	Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Campus setting	Town: Remote	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	4-1-4	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	95.0%	92.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	8.9%	48.1%
Application fees		$65
SAT range	1400 - 1530	N/A
ACT range	32 - 34	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	40.0%
Students submitting ACT score	28.0%
Total number of applicants	15,857	6,366
Total number of admissions given out	1,407	3,061
Admitted students who chose to enroll	667	677
Yield rate	47.4%	22.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$68,825	$77,300
Average net price	$17,912	$20,913
Tuition	$58,640	$58,158
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $8,150 Meal plan: $7,595	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)	39.0% Average amount $58,513	92.0% Average amount $39,555
Students receiving federal student loan	8.0% Average amount $5,140	41.0% Average amount $3,696
Students taking out private loans	1.0% Average amount $18,242	16.0% Average amount $9,232

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	2,262 Men 47.1% Women 52.9%	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	N/A	N/A
International students	9.5%	12.3%
Campus local/setting	Town: Remote	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	2,242	2,118
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 Psychology Multidisciplinary Studies Mathematics and Statistics Natural Resources and Conservation	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	New England Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	86.6%	82.4%
Dropout rate	5.7%	17.6%
Transferred out	7.5%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,540 Year 2: $57,995 Year 3: $83,980 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $43,972 Year 2: $47,118 Year 3: $55,529 International/Global Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,350 Year 2: $42,682 Year 3: $53,638 Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $33,993 Year 3: $42,883 Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,156 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $40,423 Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,612 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $41,193 Year 3: N/A Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $30,771 Year 3: N/A Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $38,289 Year 3: N/A Anthropology (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $44,971 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 academic differences between Dickinson College and Colby College?

Dickinson College emphasizes a strong liberal arts foundation with a focus on global education and sustainability. It offers a wide range of interdisciplinary programs. Colby College also excels in liberal arts, but it is particularly known for its strengths in areas like environmental studies, sciences, and creative writing. Colby has a more focused approach to its academic offerings, with a strong emphasis on research opportunities.
How do the campus environments of Dickinson and Colby compare?

Dickinson College is located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, a historic town with a close-knit community feel. The campus is known for its beautiful architecture and accessible location. Colby College is situated in Waterville, Maine, offering a more rural setting with access to outdoor activities. Colby's campus is modern and well-equipped, with a strong sense of community.
What is the student body like at Dickinson versus Colby?

Both Dickinson and Colby attract academically driven students. Dickinson has a slightly more diverse student body in terms of geographic origin and socioeconomic background. Colby's student body tends to be more homogenous, with a strong representation from the Northeast. Both colleges foster a collaborative and engaged learning environment.
How do the financial aid and tuition costs compare at Dickinson and Colby?

Both Dickinson and Colby are committed to providing financial aid to admitted students. While tuition costs are comparable, the specific financial aid packages offered can vary based on individual circumstances. It's recommended to compare the net cost (after financial aid) for each institution based on your family's financial situation. Both colleges are need-blind in their admissions process.
What are the strengths of the career services at Dickinson and Colby?

Both colleges offer robust career services to help students with internships, job searches, and graduate school applications. Dickinson's career services often leverage its strong alumni network, particularly in international affairs and government. Colby's career services are known for their focus on preparing students for careers in business, finance, and the sciences, with a strong emphasis on experiential learning opportunities.
How do the extracurricular activities and social life differ at Dickinson and Colby?

Both colleges offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, including clubs, organizations, and athletic teams. Dickinson has a vibrant social scene with a focus on campus events and activities in the surrounding town. Colby offers a more active social life on campus, with a strong emphasis on athletics and outdoor recreation, given its location. Both colleges provide ample opportunities for students to get involved and build community.
Which college is better for students interested in global education?

Dickinson College is particularly well-regarded for its global education programs, including study abroad opportunities and international partnerships. While Colby also offers study abroad, Dickinson's curriculum and institutional focus place a greater emphasis on global perspectives and international experiences.
How does the location of each college impact the student experience?

Dickinson's location in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, provides easy access to major cities like Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., offering internship and cultural opportunities. Colby's location in Waterville, Maine, offers a more rural setting with access to outdoor activities like skiing, hiking, and access to the coast. The choice depends on your preference for urban versus rural environments.
What are the athletic programs like at Dickinson and Colby?

Both Dickinson and Colby are members of NCAA Division III and offer a variety of varsity sports. Colby has a slightly stronger athletic reputation, particularly in sports like ice hockey and skiing. Dickinson also has competitive athletic programs, and both colleges emphasize the importance of academics alongside athletics.
How do the alumni networks of Dickinson and Colby compare?

Both Dickinson and Colby have active and supportive alumni networks. Dickinson's alumni network is particularly strong in areas related to international affairs, government, and environmental studies. Colby's alumni network is well-connected in business, finance, and the sciences. Both networks provide valuable resources for career development and networking opportunities.

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