Dartmouth vs Kansas - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Kansas accepts most of the applications it receives (93.5%), while Dartmouth turns away the overwhelming majority (6%).
The share of international students differs sharply: 14.5% (Dartmouth) against 3.1% (Kansas).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Dartmouth awards international students $87,562 on average, Kansas awards $11,164.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Dartmouth lists $96,098 against $47,138 (Kansas), but after average aid what remains is $20,797 against $27,438.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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 93.48% acceptance). Dartmouth graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($97K vs $62K). Kansas has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,432 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: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Kansas for: lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Dartmouth is more selective (6.02% vs 93.48% acceptance); Dartmouth has a higher median SAT (1520 vs 1190).
Dartmouth graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($97K vs $62K); Dartmouth has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.5% vs 68.8%).
Kansas has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,432 vs $71,525); Dartmouth offers a larger average aid package ($75,301 vs $19,700).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Dartmouth | Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 6.02% | 93.48% |
| Yield rate | 70.9% | 25.5% |
| Median SAT | 1520 | 1190 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.68 |
| Number of applications | 28,230 | 22,363 |
| International students | 14.5% | 3.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $97K | $62K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $40K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $189K | $88K |
| Graduation rate | 95.5% | 68.8% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 86% |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $21,000 |
| Tuition · year | $71,525 | $30,432 |
| Avg. aid package | $75,301 | $19,700 |
| % of need met | 100% | 78.6% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $24,255 | $27,212 |
| Application fee | - | $40 |
| Enrollment | 7,273 | 29,792 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Dartmouth or Kansas?
It's harder to get into Dartmouth. Dartmouth accepts 6.02% of applicants, while Kansas accepts 93.48%.
Do Dartmouth or Kansas graduates earn more?
Dartmouth graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $97K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Dartmouth vs Kansas?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,525 per year at Dartmouth and $30,432 per year at Kansas.
What SAT score do you need for Dartmouth or Kansas?
The median admitted SAT score is 1520 at Dartmouth and 1190 at Kansas; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university offers more financial aid - Dartmouth or Kansas?
The average aid package is $75,301 at Dartmouth and $19,700 at Kansas.
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