Dartmouth vs Yale - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Statistically these are twins: on every comparable axis the differences sit within the noise.
At 4.7% and 6%, both admissions processes remain a lottery for any candidate; the difference between them is not an argument here.
The price list does not separate these two: $71,525 and $72,500.
Both universities state that they meet the full assessed financial need, so the gap in list prices need not reach your own bill.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
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
Yale is the more selective of the two (4.7% vs 6.02% acceptance). Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #11). Yale graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($101K vs $97K). Dartmouth has lower sticker-price tuition ($71,525 vs $72,500 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: lower tuition, a larger aid package.
Choose Yale 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
Yale is more selective (4.7% vs 6.02% acceptance); Yale has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1520).
Yale graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($101K vs $97K); Yale has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.7% vs 95.5%).
Dartmouth has lower sticker-price tuition ($71,525 vs $72,500); Dartmouth offers a larger average aid package ($75,301 vs $74,353).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Dartmouth | Yale |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #11 |
| Rank · THE | - | #10 |
| Acceptance rate | 6.02% | 4.7% |
| Yield rate | 70.9% | 68.4% |
| Median SAT | 1520 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 28,230 | 50,264 |
| International students | 14.5% | 10.6% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $97K | $101K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $66K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $189K | $194K |
| Graduation rate | 95.5% | 95.7% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 99.4% |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $12,975 |
| Tuition · year | $71,525 | $72,500 |
| Avg. aid package | $75,301 | $74,353 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $24,255 | $22,185 |
| Application fee | - | $80 |
| Enrollment | 7,273 | 15,657 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Dartmouth or Yale?
It's harder to get into Yale. Dartmouth accepts 6.02% of applicants, while Yale accepts 4.7%.
Do Dartmouth or Yale graduates earn more?
Yale graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $101K vs $97K.
How much is tuition at Dartmouth vs Yale?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,525 per year at Dartmouth and $72,500 per year at Yale.
What SAT score do you need for Dartmouth or Yale?
The median admitted SAT score is 1520 at Dartmouth and 1540 at Yale; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Dartmouth or Yale?
Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Dartmouth vs #11 for Yale.
Which university offers more financial aid - Dartmouth or Yale?
The average aid package is $75,301 at Dartmouth and $74,353 at Yale.
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