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Dickinson College vs Allegheny College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Carlisle PA · vs · Private nonprofit, Meadville PA

The verdict

Allegheny College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $91,760 in 6.7 years versus 6.9 years at Dickinson College, on median earnings of $62,069 vs $70,204 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureDickinson CollegeAllegheny College
Net price / yr$37,607$22,940
Total net cost$150,428$91,760
Median earnings, 10 yrs$70,204$62,069
Median debt$19,000$27,000
Payback6.9 yrs6.7 yrs
20-year net return$286,452$182,420

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Dickinson College or Allegheny College?

Allegheny College, at $22,940 a year after aid versus $37,607 — a gap of $14,667 a year, or $58,668 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Dickinson College or Allegheny College graduates earn more?

Dickinson College graduates report a median $70,204 ten years after entry, $8,135 more than the $62,069 at Allegheny College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Dickinson College or Allegheny College?

Dickinson College: its completers carry a median $19,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Allegheny College, a difference of $8,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

80% of students finish at Dickinson College, against 73% at Allegheny College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Dickinson College vs Allegheny College: frequently asked questions

Is Dickinson College or Allegheny College a better value?
Allegheny College. It clears its $91,760 net cost in about 6.7 years versus 6.9 years at Dickinson College, on median earnings of $62,069 vs $70,204 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Dickinson College or Allegheny College?
Allegheny College: $22,940/yr net price after aid versus $37,607/yr at Dickinson College — a difference of $14,667 a year, or about $58,668 over four years.
Do Dickinson College or Allegheny College graduates earn more?
Dickinson College graduates earn a median $70,204 ten years after entry, versus $62,069 at Allegheny College — a $8,135 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.