On February 16, College President John E. Jones informed parents of the $3,870 increase from $86,430 to $90,300 in college fees for the 2026-2027 academic year. This is a 4.48% increase from previous years. The cost of tuition will now be $71,100, a standard double occupancy dorm room will cost $9,600, the swipe meal plans will cost $9,050, and student fees will be $550. The average cost of attendance places the total fees, both direct and indirect billing expenses at $93,706 per year for students selecting the Any 21 Meal Plan and living on campus.
According to David Walker, Vice President for Finance and Administration, the increase is intended to “move the College’s comprehensive fee closer to the middle of our comparison group of institutions” and that the college had been on the lower end of our comparison group for at least the past two years.
Dickinson will continue to meet demonstrated financial aid based on each individual family’s financial circumstances. Any increase to the financial aid budget does not mean every student will receive an increase in need-based financial aid.
Walker also said that the “discount rate is still uncertain” at this point in the semester but that “current and prospective students should be insulated from this fee increase” due to Dickinson’s “commitment to meeting full demonstrated need.” Walker added that the Finance and Administration office does not believe that the “comprehensive fee will deter students from applying to the college.”
This comes just months after another major tuition notice where Dickinson announced the “Dickinson Promise,” a financial aid program offering free tuition to students whose families earn $125,000 or less annually starting with the class of 2030. The “Dickinson Promise” initiative was provided by the Campaign for Scholarships, with more than 5,000 alumni and parents contributing.
This tuition increase shocked many students and parents who were not expecting the almost $4,000 increase in tuition. The financial aid application deadline for continuing students is May 1, and awards will be complete in late June before billing statements are sent.
Dickinson’s Financial Aid office provides information regarding tuition and fees, including financial aid eligibility. Additionally, there are scholarship and grant application resources provided for the next academic year on the Financial Aid website.
