Dartmouth vs Cornell - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
At 6% and 8.4%, both admissions processes remain a lottery for any candidate; the difference between them is not an argument here.
These admissions operate at different scales: Cornell reads 65,612 applications a year, its rival 28,230.
The price list does not separate these two: $71,525 and $72,270.
The aid gap is the size of a package in itself: $75,301 (Dartmouth) against $64,225.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
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 8.41% acceptance). Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #12). Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $97K). Dartmouth has lower sticker-price tuition ($71,525 vs $72,270 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: higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate, lower tuition.
Choose Cornell for: a higher world ranking, higher graduate earnings, higher retention.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Dartmouth is more selective (6.02% vs 8.41% acceptance); Cornell has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1520).
Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $97K); Dartmouth has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.5% vs 95.4%).
Dartmouth has lower sticker-price tuition ($71,525 vs $72,270); Dartmouth offers a larger average aid package ($75,301 vs $64,225).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Dartmouth | Cornell |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #12 |
| Rank · THE | - | #20 |
| Acceptance rate | 6.02% | 8.41% |
| Yield rate | 70.9% | 63.9% |
| Median SAT | 1520 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 28,230 | 65,612 |
| International students | 14.5% | 10.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $97K | $104K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $67K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $189K | $166K |
| Graduation rate | 95.5% | 95.4% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 98.1% |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $14,000 |
| Tuition · year | $71,525 | $72,270 |
| Avg. aid package | $75,301 | $64,225 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $24,255 | $29,441 |
| Application fee | - | $80 |
| Enrollment | 7,273 | 26,793 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Dartmouth or Cornell?
It's harder to get into Dartmouth. Dartmouth accepts 6.02% of applicants, while Cornell accepts 8.41%.
Do Dartmouth or Cornell graduates earn more?
Cornell graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $104K vs $97K.
How much is tuition at Dartmouth vs Cornell?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,525 per year at Dartmouth and $72,270 per year at Cornell.
What SAT score do you need for Dartmouth or Cornell?
The median admitted SAT score is 1520 at Dartmouth and 1540 at Cornell; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Dartmouth or Cornell?
Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Dartmouth vs #12 for Cornell.
Which university offers more financial aid - Dartmouth or Cornell?
The average aid package is $75,301 at Dartmouth and $64,225 at Cornell.
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