Northeastern vs Dartmouth - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Real money goes to international students at Dartmouth ($87,562 on average), while Northeastern stops at $24,539.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Dartmouth lists $96,098 against $92,337 (Northeastern), but after average aid what remains is $20,797 against $45,782.
At 5.2% and 6%, both admissions processes remain a lottery for any candidate; the difference between them is not an argument here.
30 points separate the SAT profiles: 1520 (Dartmouth) against 1490.
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
Northeastern is the more selective of the two (5.2% vs 6.02% acceptance). Northeastern ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#201-300 vs #301-400). Dartmouth graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($97K vs $93K). Northeastern has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,289 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 Northeastern for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, lower tuition.
Choose Dartmouth for: higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate, higher retention.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northeastern is more selective (5.2% vs 6.02% acceptance); Dartmouth has a higher median SAT (1520 vs 1490).
Dartmouth graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($97K vs $93K); Dartmouth has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.5% vs 90.5%).
Northeastern has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,289 vs $71,525); Dartmouth offers a larger average aid package ($75,301 vs $46,555).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Northeastern | Dartmouth |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 5.2% | 6.02% |
| Yield rate | 53.8% | 70.9% |
| Median SAT | 1490 | 1520 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 98,425 | 28,230 |
| International students | 13.1% | 14.5% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $97K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $65K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $135K | $189K |
| Graduation rate | 90.5% | 95.5% |
| Retention rate | 96.9% | 98% |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $69,289 | $71,525 |
| Avg. aid package | $46,555 | $75,301 |
| % of need met | 86.7% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,461 | $24,255 |
| Application fee | $75 | - |
| Enrollment | 39,774 | 7,273 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Northeastern or Dartmouth?
It's harder to get into Northeastern. Northeastern accepts 5.2% of applicants, while Dartmouth accepts 6.02%.
Do Northeastern or Dartmouth graduates earn more?
Dartmouth graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $97K vs $93K.
How much is tuition at Northeastern vs Dartmouth?
Sticker-price tuition is $69,289 per year at Northeastern and $71,525 per year at Dartmouth.
What SAT score do you need for Northeastern or Dartmouth?
The median admitted SAT score is 1490 at Northeastern and 1520 at Dartmouth; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Northeastern or Dartmouth?
Northeastern ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Northeastern vs #301-400 for Dartmouth.
Which university offers more financial aid - Northeastern or Dartmouth?
The average aid package is $46,555 at Northeastern and $75,301 at Dartmouth.
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