Boston College vs Dartmouth - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Dartmouth admits 6% of applicants, while Boston College admits 16.2%.
The more international environment is at Dartmouth (14.5% international students) than Boston College (6.6%).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Dartmouth awards international students $87,562 on average, Boston College awards $39,634.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Dartmouth lists $96,098 against $94,048 (Boston College), but after average aid what remains is $20,797 against $32,295.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Dartmouth is the more selective of the two (6.02% vs 16.19% acceptance). Dartmouth ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#501-600 vs #301-400). Boston College graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $97K). Dartmouth has lower sticker-price tuition ($71,525 vs $73,508 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Boston College for: higher graduate earnings.
Choose Dartmouth for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Dartmouth is more selective (6.02% vs 16.19% acceptance); Dartmouth has a higher median SAT (1520 vs 1500).
Boston College graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $97K); Dartmouth has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.5% vs 90.8%).
Dartmouth has lower sticker-price tuition ($71,525 vs $73,508); Dartmouth offers a larger average aid package ($75,301 vs $61,753).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Boston College | Dartmouth |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 16.19% | 6.02% |
| Yield rate | 42.5% | 70.9% |
| Median SAT | 1500 | 1520 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 34,779 | 28,230 |
| International students | 6.6% | 14.5% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $104K | $97K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $68K | $65K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $162K | $189K |
| Graduation rate | 90.8% | 95.5% |
| Retention rate | 96% | 98% |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $73,508 | $71,525 |
| Avg. aid package | $61,753 | $75,301 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $24,892 | $24,255 |
| Application fee | - | - |
| Enrollment | 14,726 | 7,273 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Boston College or Dartmouth?
It's harder to get into Dartmouth. Boston College accepts 16.19% of applicants, while Dartmouth accepts 6.02%.
Do Boston College or Dartmouth graduates earn more?
Boston College graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $104K vs $97K.
How much is tuition at Boston College vs Dartmouth?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,508 per year at Boston College and $71,525 per year at Dartmouth.
What SAT score do you need for Boston College or Dartmouth?
The median admitted SAT score is 1500 at Boston College and 1520 at Dartmouth; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Boston College or Dartmouth?
Dartmouth ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for Boston College vs #301-400 for Dartmouth.
Which university offers more financial aid - Boston College or Dartmouth?
The average aid package is $61,753 at Boston College and $75,301 at Dartmouth.
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