West Chester University of Pennsylvania vs Dickinson College: which has better ROI?
Dickinson College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $150,428 in 6.9 years versus 7.2 years at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, on median earnings of $70,204 vs $61,258 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | West Chester University of Pennsylvania | Dickinson College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,331 | $37,607 |
| Total net cost | $93,324 | $150,428 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $61,258 | $70,204 |
| Median debt | $23,500 | $19,000 |
| Payback | 7.2 yrs | 6.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $164,636 | $286,452 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, West Chester University of Pennsylvania or Dickinson College?
West Chester University of Pennsylvania, at $23,331 a year after aid versus $37,607 — a gap of $14,276 a year, or $57,104 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do West Chester University of Pennsylvania or Dickinson College graduates earn more?
Dickinson College graduates report a median $70,204 ten years after entry, $8,946 more than the $61,258 at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. 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, West Chester University of Pennsylvania or Dickinson College?
Dickinson College: its completers carry a median $19,000 in federal loans versus $23,500 at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, a difference of $4,500. 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 71% at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. 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.