Iowa State vs Dartmouth - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Dartmouth admits 6% of applications, Iowa State admits 88.7%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Dartmouth: 14.5% of students against 3.7% (Iowa State).
Average aid for an international student is $87,562 (Dartmouth) and $12,582 (Iowa State).
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Dartmouth starts at $96,098 against $42,789 and ends at $20,797 against $27,124 (Iowa State).
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 88.66% acceptance). Dartmouth ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#501-600 vs #301-400). Dartmouth graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($97K vs $63K). Iowa State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 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 Iowa State for: lower tuition.
Choose Dartmouth 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
Dartmouth is more selective (6.02% vs 88.66% acceptance); Dartmouth has a higher median SAT (1520 vs 1250).
Dartmouth graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($97K vs $63K); Dartmouth has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.5% vs 75.3%).
Iowa State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 vs $71,525); Dartmouth offers a larger average aid package ($75,301 vs $15,665).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Iowa State | Dartmouth |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 88.66% | 6.02% |
| Yield rate | 28.8% | 70.9% |
| Median SAT | 1250 | 1520 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.75 | - |
| Number of applications | 23,095 | 28,230 |
| International students | 3.7% | 14.5% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $63K | $97K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $44K | $65K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $90K | $189K |
| Graduation rate | 75.3% | 95.5% |
| Retention rate | 87.6% | 98% |
| Median debt | $22,869 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $28,881 | $71,525 |
| Avg. aid package | $15,665 | $75,301 |
| % of need met | 78% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $29,475 | $24,255 |
| Application fee | $40 | - |
| Enrollment | 30,432 | 7,273 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Iowa State or Dartmouth?
It's harder to get into Dartmouth. Iowa State accepts 88.66% of applicants, while Dartmouth accepts 6.02%.
Do Iowa State or Dartmouth graduates earn more?
Dartmouth graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $97K vs $63K.
How much is tuition at Iowa State vs Dartmouth?
Sticker-price tuition is $28,881 per year at Iowa State and $71,525 per year at Dartmouth.
What SAT score do you need for Iowa State or Dartmouth?
The median admitted SAT score is 1250 at Iowa State and 1520 at Dartmouth; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Iowa State or Dartmouth?
Dartmouth ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for Iowa State vs #301-400 for Dartmouth.
Which university offers more financial aid - Iowa State or Dartmouth?
The average aid package is $15,665 at Iowa State and $75,301 at Dartmouth.
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