Dickinson College

Carlisle, PA · founded 1773 · 2,300 students · liberal arts college · Centennial Conference

Known for: Dickinson College is a highly selective liberal arts college known for its strong global education programs and sustainability initiatives. Founded by Benjamin Rush and named after John Dickinson, it emphasizes civic engagement and preparing students for global citizenship.

Rankings

U.S. News liberal arts: #46
Forbes: #128

Top programmes

International Business & Management
Political Science
Environmental Science
Psychology
International Studies
English

Notable alumni

James Buchanan — 15th President of the United States
Roger B. Taney — Fifth Chief Justice of the United States
John J. Pershing — General of the Armies, commander of American forces in WWI
Jennifer Haigh — Award-winning novelist
Robert White — U.S. Ambassador to Paraguay and El Salvador
John Montgomery — Co-founder of Netscape Communications
Michele Norris — Former host of NPR's 'All Things Considered'

Traditions

The Dickinsonian (oldest college newspaper in Pennsylvania)
Old West Stair Hike
Proclamation Night
All-Campus Ball

If Dickinson College were…

As a food: quinoa Buddha bowl with ethically-sourced tahini — Wholesome, globally-conscious, and earnestly good for you—Dickinson wears its sustainability and internationalism as both identity and mission, nourishing students who want their education to improve the world.
As an athlete: Megan Rapinoe — Outspoken, civically engaged, and unapologetically progressive, Rapinoe embodies Dickinson's blend of competitive drive (Division III athletics) and social justice activism that permeates campus culture.
As a person alive today: Samantha Power — The former UN Ambassador and human rights scholar mirrors Dickinson's emphasis on global affairs, civic responsibility, and translating liberal arts training into real-world diplomatic and humanitarian impact.
As a historical figure: Benjamin Rush — A Founding Father, physician, and abolitionist who co-founded Dickinson in 1783, Rush represents the college's DNA: Enlightenment ideals, progressive reform, and education as a tool for building a better republic.
As a movie or TV show: The West Wing — Idealistic, wonky, and deeply invested in how government and civil society should work, Dickinson students are the types who'd thrive in the Bartlet White House—earnest about policy, internationally minded, and convinced
As a US president: Jimmy Carter — Post-presidency Carter—building houses, monitoring elections, championing human rights—captures Dickinson's ethos of service, sustainability, and using privilege to advance global justice rather than just personal gain.
As a city: Copenhagen — Bike-friendly, sustainability-obsessed, internationally minded, and comfortably small-scale, Copenhagen mirrors Dickinson's green campus, global focus, and tight-knit community in a modest Pennsylvania town with outsized
As an element: Cobalt — Essential for green technology batteries and global supply chains, cobalt reflects Dickinson's commitment to sustainability and international systems—valuable, ethically complicated, and central to building a better futu
As a car: 2019 Subaru Outback — Dickinson combines rugged sustainability credentials with global reach—like the Outback, it's equally comfortable on Pennsylvania back roads or international terrain. It's the choice of the civically-engaged outdoorsy in

Campus life

Dickinson offers a vibrant campus life with over 150 student organizations and a strong emphasis on community service and sustainability. Social life includes campus events, club activities, and a modest Greek presence. The college has a strong study abroad participation rate with programs in over 40 countries.