Dartmouth vs Notre Dame - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Dartmouth: 6% against 11.3% (Notre Dame).
The more international environment is at Dartmouth (14.5% international students) than Notre Dame (7.5%).
Real money goes to international students at Dartmouth ($87,562 on average), while Notre Dame stops at $62,803.
On SAT scores this is the same calibre of applicant: 1520 and 1510.
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 11.3% acceptance). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment are effectively tied ($97K vs $100K). Notre Dame has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,607 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, a higher graduation rate, a larger aid package.
Choose Notre Dame for: higher graduate earnings, higher retention, lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Dartmouth is more selective (6.02% vs 11.3% acceptance); Dartmouth has a higher median SAT (1520 vs 1510).
Notre Dame graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($100K vs $97K); Dartmouth has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.5% vs 95%).
Notre Dame has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,607 vs $71,525); Dartmouth offers a larger average aid package ($75,301 vs $67,855).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Dartmouth | Notre Dame |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 6.02% | 11.3% |
| Yield rate | 70.9% | 61.7% |
| Median SAT | 1520 | 1510 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 28,230 | 29,942 |
| International students | 14.5% | 7.5% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $97K | $100K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $68K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $189K | $141K |
| Graduation rate | 95.5% | 95% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 99% |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $19,000 |
| Tuition · year | $71,525 | $67,607 |
| Avg. aid package | $75,301 | $67,855 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $24,255 | $30,400 |
| Application fee | - | $85 |
| Enrollment | 7,273 | 13,042 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Dartmouth or Notre Dame?
It's harder to get into Dartmouth. Dartmouth accepts 6.02% of applicants, while Notre Dame accepts 11.3%.
Do Dartmouth or Notre Dame graduates earn more?
Earnings are practically equal - 10 years after enrollment, the median is $97K at Dartmouth and $100K at Notre Dame.
How much is tuition at Dartmouth vs Notre Dame?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,525 per year at Dartmouth and $67,607 per year at Notre Dame.
What SAT score do you need for Dartmouth or Notre Dame?
The median admitted SAT score is 1520 at Dartmouth and 1510 at Notre Dame; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university offers more financial aid - Dartmouth or Notre Dame?
The average aid package is $75,301 at Dartmouth and $67,855 at Notre Dame.
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