Brandeis vs Dartmouth — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Dartmouth is the more selective of the two (5.4% vs 40.5% acceptance). Dartmouth graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($97K vs $77K). Brandeis has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,080 vs $68,268 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 Brandeis for: lower tuition.
Choose Dartmouth for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Dartmouth is more selective (5.4% vs 40.5% acceptance); Dartmouth has a higher median SAT (1534 vs 1462).
Dartmouth graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($97K vs $77K); Dartmouth has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.5% vs 86%).
Brandeis has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,080 vs $68,268); Dartmouth offers a larger average aid package ($75,301 vs $57,507).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Brandeis | Dartmouth |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | — | — |
| Acceptance rate | 40.5% | 5.4% |
| Yield rate | 17.5% | 70.9% |
| Median SAT | 1462 | 1534 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.90 | — |
| Number of applications | 10,462 | 28,230 |
| International students | 34% | 17% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $77K | $97K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $69K | $110K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $117K | $189K |
| Graduation rate | 86% | 95.5% |
| Retention rate | 87% | 98% |
| Median debt | $25,648 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $68,080 | $68,268 |
| Avg. aid package | $57,507 | $75,301 |
| % of need met | 94.5% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,004 | $24,255 |
| Application fee | $80 | — |
| Enrollment | 5,205 | 7,273 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Brandeis or Dartmouth?
It's harder to get into Dartmouth. Brandeis accepts 40.5% of applicants, while Dartmouth accepts 5.4%.
Do Brandeis or Dartmouth graduates earn more?
Dartmouth graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $97K vs $77K.
How much is tuition at Brandeis vs Dartmouth?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,080 per year at Brandeis and $68,268 per year at Dartmouth.
What SAT score do you need for Brandeis or Dartmouth?
The median admitted SAT score is 1462 at Brandeis and 1534 at Dartmouth; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university offers more financial aid — Brandeis or Dartmouth?
The average aid package is $57,507 at Brandeis and $75,301 at Dartmouth.
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