Dartmouth vs Stanford - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Ten years on, graduates of Stanford earn noticeably more: $124K against $97K.
At 3.8% and 6%, both admissions processes remain a lottery for any candidate; the difference between them is not an argument here.
Candidates with higher SAT scores go to Stanford: a midpoint of 1550 against 1520, a difference of 30 points.
These admissions operate at different scales: Stanford reads 60,646 applications a year, its rival 28,230.
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
Stanford is the more selective of the two (3.8% vs 6.02% acceptance). Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #2). Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $97K). Stanford has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,574 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 higher graduation rate, higher retention, lower graduate debt.
Choose Stanford 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
Stanford is more selective (3.8% vs 6.02% acceptance); Stanford has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1520).
Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $97K); Dartmouth has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.5% vs 91.9%).
Stanford has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,574 vs $71,525); Stanford offers a larger average aid package ($77,279 vs $75,301).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Dartmouth | Stanford |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #2 |
| Rank · THE | - | #6 |
| Acceptance rate | 6.02% | 3.8% |
| Yield rate | 70.9% | 79.9% |
| Median SAT | 1520 | 1550 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.94 |
| Number of applications | 28,230 | 60,646 |
| International students | 14.5% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $97K | $124K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $73K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $189K | $220K |
| Graduation rate | 95.5% | 91.9% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 97.5% |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $12,000 |
| Tuition · year | $71,525 | $68,574 |
| Avg. aid package | $75,301 | $77,279 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $24,255 | $28,507 |
| Application fee | - | $100 |
| Enrollment | 7,273 | 18,121 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Dartmouth or Stanford?
It's harder to get into Stanford. Dartmouth accepts 6.02% of applicants, while Stanford accepts 3.8%.
Do Dartmouth or Stanford graduates earn more?
Stanford graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $124K vs $97K.
How much is tuition at Dartmouth vs Stanford?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,525 per year at Dartmouth and $68,574 per year at Stanford.
What SAT score do you need for Dartmouth or Stanford?
The median admitted SAT score is 1520 at Dartmouth and 1550 at Stanford; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Dartmouth or Stanford?
Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Dartmouth vs #2 for Stanford.
Which university offers more financial aid - Dartmouth or Stanford?
The average aid package is $75,301 at Dartmouth and $77,279 at Stanford.
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