Dartmouth vs Boston College - 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 (#301-400 vs #501-600). 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 Dartmouth for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Boston College for: higher graduate earnings.
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 | Dartmouth | Boston College |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 6.02% | 16.19% |
| Yield rate | 70.9% | 42.5% |
| Median SAT | 1520 | 1500 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 28,230 | 34,779 |
| International students | 14.5% | 6.6% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $97K | $104K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $68K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $189K | $162K |
| Graduation rate | 95.5% | 90.8% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 96% |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $19,000 |
| Tuition · year | $71,525 | $73,508 |
| Avg. aid package | $75,301 | $61,753 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $24,255 | $24,892 |
| Application fee | - | - |
| Enrollment | 7,273 | 14,726 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Dartmouth or Boston College?
It's harder to get into Dartmouth. Dartmouth accepts 6.02% of applicants, while Boston College accepts 16.19%.
Do Dartmouth or Boston College graduates earn more?
Boston College graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $104K vs $97K.
How much is tuition at Dartmouth vs Boston College?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,525 per year at Dartmouth and $73,508 per year at Boston College.
What SAT score do you need for Dartmouth or Boston College?
The median admitted SAT score is 1520 at Dartmouth and 1500 at Boston College; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Dartmouth or Boston College?
Dartmouth ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Dartmouth vs #501-600 for Boston College.
Which university offers more financial aid - Dartmouth or Boston College?
The average aid package is $75,301 at Dartmouth and $61,753 at Boston College.
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