Dartmouth vs Princeton - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Ten years on, graduates of Princeton earn noticeably more: $110K against $97K.
Both universities turn away more than nine applicants in ten (4.4% and 6%), so the outcome rests on how well your profile fits, not on the admission rate itself.
On SAT scores this is the same calibre of applicant: 1520 and 1530.
Both meet assessed financial need in full; the real cost therefore depends on your circumstances, not on tuition.
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
Princeton is the more selective of the two (4.42% vs 6.02% acceptance). Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #7). Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $97K). Princeton has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,454 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 Princeton 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
Princeton is more selective (4.42% vs 6.02% acceptance); Princeton has a higher median SAT (1530 vs 1520).
Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $97K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 95.5%).
Princeton has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,454 vs $71,525); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $75,301).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Dartmouth | Princeton |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #7 |
| Rank · THE | - | #4 |
| Acceptance rate | 6.02% | 4.42% |
| Yield rate | 70.9% | 75.4% |
| Median SAT | 1520 | 1530 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.96 |
| Number of applications | 28,230 | 42,303 |
| International students | 14.5% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $97K | $110K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $68K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $189K | $197K |
| Graduation rate | 95.5% | 97.6% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 99% |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $10,320 |
| Tuition · year | $71,525 | $68,454 |
| Avg. aid package | $75,301 | $79,320 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $24,255 | $21,251 |
| Application fee | - | $75 |
| Enrollment | 7,273 | 9,281 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Dartmouth or Princeton?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Dartmouth accepts 6.02% of applicants, while Princeton accepts 4.42%.
Do Dartmouth or Princeton graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $97K.
How much is tuition at Dartmouth vs Princeton?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,525 per year at Dartmouth and $68,454 per year at Princeton.
What SAT score do you need for Dartmouth or Princeton?
The median admitted SAT score is 1520 at Dartmouth and 1530 at Princeton; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Dartmouth or Princeton?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Dartmouth vs #7 for Princeton.
Which university offers more financial aid - Dartmouth or Princeton?
The average aid package is $75,301 at Dartmouth and $79,320 at Princeton.
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