“A personal, hands-on liberal arts experience 30 miles from Boston — where performing arts, athletics, and academic support thrive together.”
Dean College is a private four-year liberal arts institution in Franklin, Massachusetts, celebrated for an intimate learning environment that places students at the center of a tightly knit academic community. Founded in 1865, Dean has spent more than 150 years perfecting a model of personalized education that balances rigorous academics with vibrant performing arts, competitive NCAA Division III athletics, and meaningful real-world experiences. With an undergraduate enrollment of roughly 1,100 students, class sizes are small, faculty are highly accessible, and academic advising is individualized from day one. Dean is nationally recognized as an exceptional college for students with diagnosed learning differences, offering one of the most comprehensive support programs of its kind in the United States. The college's four academic schools — the School of the Arts, the Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance (one of the most respected collegiate dance programs in New England), the Dean R. Sanders '47 School of Business, and the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences — offer an array of bachelor's and associate's degree pathways. Dance, performing arts, communications, and business are perennial strengths that attract passionate students from across the country and from more than 26 countries worldwide. Located just 30 miles southwest of Boston and 30 miles from Providence, Rhode Island, Dean's 100-acre suburban campus blends small-town safety and community with convenient access to two world-class cities. Approximately 90 percent of students live on campus in one of 13 diverse residence halls, fostering a residential community that is lively, inclusive, and deeply connected. With 16 varsity sports teams and more than 40 student organizations, every Dean student finds a meaningful place on campus.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
Regional Colleges North
US News 2026
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Action
$2,000 Early Action Scholarship bonus for students applying by this date; open to domestic and international applicants
Regular Decision (Rolling)
Applications reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the admissions cycle
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$46,526
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
A vibrant creative community offering programs in theatre, musical theatre, and visual arts with robust performance and production opportunities.
One of New England's most prestigious collegiate dance schools, offering bachelor's degrees in dance with concentrations in performance and choreography.
Prepares students for careers in management, marketing, and entrepreneurship with experiential learning and internship-driven curricula leveraging proximity to Boston.
Offers programs in psychology, communications, criminal justice, biology, neuroscience, and public health, preparing students for graduate school and professional careers.
4 years
Housed in the Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance, Dean's dance program is one of the most storied in New England with professional-caliber facilities and alumni performing in major dance companies.
4 years
A career-focused degree integrating internships, case competitions, and mentorship from Boston-area business leaders. Business graduates report the highest median starting salaries among Dean alumni.
4 years
Prepares students for media, public relations, and digital communications careers with hands-on coursework and direct access to Boston's thriving media and marketing market.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $46,526
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
