Dartmouth vs Virginia - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Dartmouth: 6% against 16.8% (Virginia).
The share of international students differs sharply: 14.5% (Dartmouth) against 4.9% (Virginia).
Virginia reports no financial aid for international students, while Dartmouth awards them $87,562 on average. For an applicant from outside the US that is usually the most important difference on this page.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Dartmouth lists $96,098 against $80,859 (Virginia), but after average aid what remains is $20,797 against $43,736.
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 16.81% acceptance). Virginia ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #201-300). Dartmouth graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($97K vs $87K). Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($62,923 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, higher retention.
Choose Virginia for: a higher world ranking, a higher graduation rate, lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Dartmouth is more selective (6.02% vs 16.81% acceptance); Dartmouth has a higher median SAT (1520 vs 1470).
Dartmouth graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($97K vs $87K); Virginia has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.6% vs 95.5%).
Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($62,923 vs $71,525); Dartmouth offers a larger average aid package ($75,301 vs $37,123).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Dartmouth | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 6.02% | 16.81% |
| Yield rate | 70.9% | 40% |
| Median SAT | 1520 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 28,230 | 58,951 |
| International students | 14.5% | 4.9% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $97K | $87K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $59K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $189K | $130K |
| Graduation rate | 95.5% | 95.6% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 97.9% |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $71,525 | $62,923 |
| Avg. aid package | $75,301 | $37,123 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $24,255 | $25,137 |
| Application fee | - | $75 |
| Enrollment | 7,273 | 26,470 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Dartmouth or Virginia?
It's harder to get into Dartmouth. Dartmouth accepts 6.02% of applicants, while Virginia accepts 16.81%.
Do Dartmouth or Virginia graduates earn more?
Dartmouth graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $97K vs $87K.
How much is tuition at Dartmouth vs Virginia?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,525 per year at Dartmouth and $62,923 per year at Virginia.
What SAT score do you need for Dartmouth or Virginia?
The median admitted SAT score is 1520 at Dartmouth and 1470 at Virginia; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Dartmouth or Virginia?
Virginia ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Dartmouth vs #201-300 for Virginia.
Which university offers more financial aid - Dartmouth or Virginia?
The average aid package is $75,301 at Dartmouth and $37,123 at Virginia.
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