Carlisle, PA · Private University
Is Dickinson College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$70,204
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$63,475
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$63,475
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$253,900
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.11x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
7.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
83.4%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$19,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$32,191
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Dickinson College graduates earn $25,204 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Dickinson College ranked by graduate earnings
20 graduates
68 graduates
34 graduates
24 graduates
32 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Dickinson College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Dickinson College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Public Policy Analysis: $109,508) and the lowest (Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology: $35,305) is $74,203/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Public Policy AnalysisBest ROI | $109,508 | 1.7x |
| International Business | $81,762 | 1.3x |
| Economics | $67,032 | 1.1x |
| Biology, General | $64,560 | 1.0x |
| Psychology, General | $62,695 | 1.0x |
| Political Science and Government | $58,207 | 0.9x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $56,242 | 0.9x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $52,987 | 0.8x |
| Area Studies | $48,099 | 0.8x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $45,238 | 0.7x |
| Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education(1yr data) | $44,383 | 0.7x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyLowest(1yr data) | $35,305 | 0.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Dickinson College delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $70,204 10 years after starting, $25,204 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 7.2 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.