Dartmouth vs Harvard - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The cheaper tuition belongs to Harvard: $64,796 against $71,525, or $6,729 less a year.
Both universities turn away more than nine applicants in ten (3.6% and 6%), so the outcome rests on how well your profile fits, not on the admission rate itself.
33 points separate the SAT profiles: 1553 (Harvard) against 1520.
The fight for an admitted student is won more often by Harvard: 83.6% of them enrol, against 70.9%.
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
Harvard is the more selective of the two (3.65% vs 6.02% acceptance). Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #1). Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $97K). Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,796 vs $71,525 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 larger aid package.
Choose Harvard for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Harvard is more selective (3.65% vs 6.02% acceptance); Harvard has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1520).
Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $97K); Harvard has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 95.5%).
Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,796 vs $71,525); Dartmouth offers a larger average aid package ($75,301 vs $74,387).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Dartmouth | Harvard |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #1 |
| Rank · THE | - | #3 |
| Acceptance rate | 6.02% | 3.65% |
| Yield rate | 70.9% | 83.6% |
| Median SAT | 1520 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 4.21 |
| Number of applications | 28,230 | 54,008 |
| International students | 14.5% | 15.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $97K | $102K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $65K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $189K | $200K |
| Graduation rate | 95.5% | 97.6% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 98% |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $14,000 |
| Tuition · year | $71,525 | $64,796 |
| Avg. aid package | $75,301 | $74,387 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $24,255 | $22,262 |
| Application fee | - | $85 |
| Enrollment | 7,273 | 21,189 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Dartmouth or Harvard?
It's harder to get into Harvard. Dartmouth accepts 6.02% of applicants, while Harvard accepts 3.65%.
Do Dartmouth or Harvard graduates earn more?
Harvard graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $102K vs $97K.
How much is tuition at Dartmouth vs Harvard?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,525 per year at Dartmouth and $64,796 per year at Harvard.
What SAT score do you need for Dartmouth or Harvard?
The median admitted SAT score is 1520 at Dartmouth and 1553 at Harvard; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Dartmouth or Harvard?
Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Dartmouth vs #1 for Harvard.
Which university offers more financial aid - Dartmouth or Harvard?
The average aid package is $75,301 at Dartmouth and $74,387 at Harvard.
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