Dickinson is a premier four-year residential liberal-arts institution chartered in 1783 and widely recognized as a leader in global and sustainability education.
We prepare our graduates to face the world’s challenges so they are always equipped and eager to collaborate with others to make an impact.
Academics
What degrees are offered by °µÍø½ûÇø?
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Science
What can I expect from the Dickinson academic experience?
Dickinson additionally includes minors, certificate programs, independent research, internships and Army ROTC as well as pre-professional programs and articulation agreements in business, engineering, health and law. Our newest majors include finance, quantitative economics and data analytics.
What are the admission requirements and deadlines?
Dickinson is test-optional and we review applications holistically (GPA, course rigor, essays, recommendations, extracurriculars). Applicants are expected to have pursued a college-preparatory course of study, including substantial sequences in math, foreign languages and science. Interviews and campus visits are strongly recommended. Students apply using the Common Application or Coalition Application (powered by Scoir).
- Early Decision I: November 15
- Early Action: November 15
- Early Decision II: January 15
- Regular Decision: January 15
The acceptance rate for recent cycles is approximately 42%.
Read more of our full admissions details and how to apply.
How big is °µÍø½ûÇø, and what is the student body like?
2,100 full-time students representing:
What does it cost to attend °µÍø½ûÇø for 2026–27?
Tuition is $71,100, required fees $550, median housing $9,600, and the Any 21 Meal Plan $9,050. The full estimated cost of attendance (including books, personal expenses, etc.) is $93,706.
- About 80% of students receive aid.
- The average net price after grants is roughly $22,000–$34,000.
- Students have access to merit scholarships, and all applicants have their demonstrated financial need met.
- Dickinson awards more than $70 million in grants annually.
- With the Dickinson Promise, families earning less than $125k can attend Dickinson tution-free, and familes making less than $75k will have no packaged loans.
See full cost of attendance details and the tuition & aid overview.
What happens to Dickinson graduates after college?
Dickinsonians go on to top employers, grad programs and fellowships worldwide. Our Center for Career Development will assist students along their individual career journeys and provide resources for every step along the way.
96%
of Dickinsonians are employed, completing an internship or attending graduate school six months after graduation.
Our graduate school acceptances are strong:
96%
for law school
92%
for medical school
(in all health professions)
Life at Dickinson
What are student life and the campus vibe like at Dickinson?
Dickinson has a total footprint of more than 400 acres, including our main campus, college farm and athletic facilies. Our 144-acre main campus includes six LEED-gold certified buildings and one LEED-platinum certified residence hall (with a commitment to pursuing LEED certification for all new projects), traditional and special-interest housing options and state-of-the-art science, athletics and research facilities.
Dining options include gluten-free, kosher, organic, vegan, vegetarian and local fruits and vegetables from our certified-organic College Farm.
Dickinson is located in Carlisle, named a “most livable city” by Forbes and minutes from the state capital of Harrisburg. The campus is connected to a vibrant downtown that offers eclectic dining, shopping and entertainment options. Within a two-hour drive are Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.; New York City is three hours away. All first-year students live on campus, and additional college-owned housing is available.
What extracurricular or athletic opportunities are available?
Including music and drama, publications, fraternities and sororities and religious, political, special-interest and community service organizations.
Plus club and intramural sports. To date, more than 230 student-athletes have been named All-American. Dickinson is a member of the Centennial Conference (NCAA Division III).
How strong is study abroad at Dickinson?
Dickinson offers one of the most respected off-campus study programs in the nation.
Explore Global Programs
Nearly two-thirds of our students study abroad, in more than 50 programs in 24 countries on six continents. There are countless ways to take your education all around the globe.
About the College
What awards have Dickinson students received?
Dickinson is a leading producer of Fulbright and Peace Corps scholars. Awards for postgraduate study include Fulbright, Rhodes, Marshall, George J. Mitchell, Rotary Ambassadorial, Kathryn Wasserman Davis Projects for Peace, the Carnegie Junior Fellowship, Udall and Goldwater.
Does °µÍø½ûÇø have any partnerships?
Sharing its Carlisle location with other educational institutions, Dickinson has partnerships with the U.S. Army War College and Peacekeeping & Stability Operations Institute and the world-renowned Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. In addition, top business, law, engineering and medical schools offer programs to accelerate admission for Dickinson graduates or give graduates credit for undergraduate courses. Agreements are in place with internationally renowned institutions such as Columbia, Northeastern and Johns Hopkins universities.
What prominent alumni has °µÍø½ûÇø produced?
A U.S. president, Supreme Court justices, a co-founder of America’s oldest weekly magazine (The Nation) founded by abolitionists in 1865, second secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, retired chairman and CEO of Wyeth, first editor of USA Today and chairman and CEO of Gannett Co. Inc., CEO of L.L.Bean, president of the Philadelphia Phillies, agents for professional athletes, Tony and Jeff award winners, Lemelson-MIT Prize and Linus Pauling Medal Award winner, several U.S. representatives and other elected officials, award-winning poets, novelists and photographers, editor of The New York Times’ Room for Debate, founder and CEO of one of the fastest-growing natural product companies (Justin’s), three elected members of the National Academy of Sciences, member of Time magazine’s 2006 list of 100 most influential people, president and CEO of GeneOne Life Science, three inductees into the inaugural class of the U.S. Army ROTC Hall of Fame and several college presidents. Meet more of our alumni in action.
Does Dickinson support first-generation and diverse students?
Yes. Dickinson is deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. We meet full demonstrated need for many students, offer generous aid (including tuition-free for families under $125k in some cases), and have dedicated resources through the Division of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
What kind of financial aid and scholarships are available?
Dickinson awards need-based aid, merit scholarships and grants. 80%+ of students receive institutional aid. Use our Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.
See Financial Assistance, Scholarships & Grants, the Dickinson Promise and Cost Calculators
Why Dickinson?
Dickinson delivers a high-impact liberal-arts education with exceptional global opportunities, strong career outcomes (96%+), a beautiful sustainable campus and a tight-knit community—all while remaining accessible through generous aid.
Explore Dickinson![A red photo of Old West with Why Dickinson in text overlaid on top](/images/Why_Dickinson_circle_800.png")