Dartmouth vs West Virginia - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
West Virginia accepts most of the applications it receives (89%), while Dartmouth turns away the overwhelming majority (6%).
The share of international students differs sharply: 14.5% (Dartmouth) against 1.7% (West Virginia).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Dartmouth awards international students $87,562 on average, West Virginia awards $21,636.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Dartmouth lists $96,098 against $47,480 (West Virginia), but after average aid what remains is $20,797 against $30,750.
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 89% acceptance). Dartmouth ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #501-600). Dartmouth graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($97K vs $56K). West Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,608 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 world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose West Virginia 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 89% acceptance); Dartmouth has a higher median SAT (1520 vs 1110).
Dartmouth graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($97K vs $56K); Dartmouth has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.5% vs 64.7%).
West Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,608 vs $71,525); Dartmouth offers a larger average aid package ($75,301 vs $16,730).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Dartmouth | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 6.02% | 89% |
| Yield rate | 70.9% | 26.5% |
| Median SAT | 1520 | 1110 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.70 |
| Number of applications | 28,230 | 20,150 |
| International students | 14.5% | 1.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $97K | $56K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $36K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $189K | $84K |
| Graduation rate | 95.5% | 64.7% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 83.4% |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $22,500 |
| Tuition · year | $71,525 | $28,608 |
| Avg. aid package | $75,301 | $16,730 |
| % of need met | 100% | 63% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $24,255 | $36,010 |
| Application fee | - | $65 |
| Enrollment | 7,273 | 23,643 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Dartmouth or West Virginia?
It's harder to get into Dartmouth. Dartmouth accepts 6.02% of applicants, while West Virginia accepts 89%.
Do Dartmouth or West Virginia graduates earn more?
Dartmouth graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $97K vs $56K.
How much is tuition at Dartmouth vs West Virginia?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,525 per year at Dartmouth and $28,608 per year at West Virginia.
What SAT score do you need for Dartmouth or West Virginia?
The median admitted SAT score is 1520 at Dartmouth and 1110 at West Virginia; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Dartmouth or West Virginia?
Dartmouth ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Dartmouth vs #501-600 for West Virginia.
Which university offers more financial aid - Dartmouth or West Virginia?
The average aid package is $75,301 at Dartmouth and $16,730 at West Virginia.
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