Duke vs Dartmouth - 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 5.7% and 6%, both admissions processes remain a lottery for any candidate; the difference between them is not an argument here.
Students admitted to both more often choose Dartmouth (70.9% enrol, against 58.8%).
The price list does not separate these two: $73,172 and $71,525.
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
Duke is the more selective of the two (5.71% vs 6.02% acceptance). Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#39 vs #301-400). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment are effectively tied ($98K vs $97K). Dartmouth has lower sticker-price tuition ($71,525 vs $73,172 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 Duke for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Dartmouth for: lower tuition, a larger aid package, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Duke is more selective (5.71% vs 6.02% acceptance); Duke has a higher median SAT (1548 vs 1520).
Duke graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($98K vs $97K); Duke has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.8% vs 95.5%).
Dartmouth has lower sticker-price tuition ($71,525 vs $73,172); Dartmouth offers a larger average aid package ($75,301 vs $72,437).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Duke | Dartmouth |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #39 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | #27 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 5.71% | 6.02% |
| Yield rate | 58.8% | 70.9% |
| Median SAT | 1548 | 1520 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 51,795 | 28,230 |
| International students | 10.6% | 14.5% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $98K | $97K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $66K | $65K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $172K | $189K |
| Graduation rate | 96.8% | 95.5% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 98% |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $73,172 | $71,525 |
| Avg. aid package | $72,437 | $75,301 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,515 | $24,255 |
| Application fee | - | - |
| Enrollment | 17,499 | 7,273 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Duke or Dartmouth?
It's harder to get into Duke. Duke accepts 5.71% of applicants, while Dartmouth accepts 6.02%.
Do Duke or Dartmouth graduates earn more?
Earnings are practically equal - 10 years after enrollment, the median is $98K at Duke and $97K at Dartmouth.
How much is tuition at Duke vs Dartmouth?
Sticker-price tuition is $73,172 per year at Duke and $71,525 per year at Dartmouth.
What SAT score do you need for Duke or Dartmouth?
The median admitted SAT score is 1548 at Duke and 1520 at Dartmouth; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Duke or Dartmouth?
Duke ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #39 for Duke vs #301-400 for Dartmouth.
Which university offers more financial aid - Duke or Dartmouth?
The average aid package is $72,437 at Duke and $75,301 at Dartmouth.
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