Harvard vs Dartmouth - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The cheaper tuition belongs to Harvard: $64,796 against $71,525, or $6,729 less a year.
Both universities turn away more than nine applicants in ten (3.6% and 6%), so the outcome rests on how well your profile fits, not on the admission rate itself.
33 points separate the SAT profiles: 1553 (Harvard) against 1520.
The fight for an admitted student is won more often by Harvard: 83.6% of them enrol, against 70.9%.
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
Harvard is the more selective of the two (3.65% vs 6.02% acceptance). Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#1 vs #301-400). Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $97K). Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,796 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 Harvard for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Dartmouth for: a larger aid package.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Harvard is more selective (3.65% vs 6.02% acceptance); Harvard has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1520).
Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $97K); Harvard has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 95.5%).
Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,796 vs $71,525); Dartmouth offers a larger average aid package ($75,301 vs $74,387).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Harvard | Dartmouth |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #1 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | #3 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 3.65% | 6.02% |
| Yield rate | 83.6% | 70.9% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1520 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.21 | - |
| Number of applications | 54,008 | 28,230 |
| International students | 15.7% | 14.5% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $97K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $65K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $200K | $189K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 95.5% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 98% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $64,796 | $71,525 |
| Avg. aid package | $74,387 | $75,301 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,262 | $24,255 |
| Application fee | $85 | - |
| Enrollment | 21,189 | 7,273 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Harvard or Dartmouth?
It's harder to get into Harvard. Harvard accepts 3.65% of applicants, while Dartmouth accepts 6.02%.
Do Harvard or Dartmouth graduates earn more?
Harvard graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $102K vs $97K.
How much is tuition at Harvard vs Dartmouth?
Sticker-price tuition is $64,796 per year at Harvard and $71,525 per year at Dartmouth.
What SAT score do you need for Harvard or Dartmouth?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Harvard and 1520 at Dartmouth; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Harvard or Dartmouth?
Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #1 for Harvard vs #301-400 for Dartmouth.
Which university offers more financial aid - Harvard or Dartmouth?
The average aid package is $74,387 at Harvard and $75,301 at Dartmouth.
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