Notre dame vs Dartmouth — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Dartmouth is the more selective of the two (5.4% vs 11.3% acceptance). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment are effectively tied ($100K vs $97K). Notre dame has lower sticker-price tuition ($65,025 vs $68,268 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 Notre dame for: higher graduate earnings, higher retention, lower tuition.
Choose Dartmouth for: higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate, a larger aid package.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Dartmouth is more selective (5.4% vs 11.3% acceptance); Dartmouth has a higher median SAT (1534 vs 1520).
Notre dame graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($100K vs $97K); Dartmouth has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.5% vs 95%).
Notre dame has lower sticker-price tuition ($65,025 vs $68,268); Dartmouth offers a larger average aid package ($75,301 vs $67,855).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Notre dame | Dartmouth |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | — | — |
| Acceptance rate | 11.3% | 5.4% |
| Yield rate | 61.7% | 70.9% |
| Median SAT | 1520 | 1534 |
| Avg. GPA | — | — |
| Number of applications | 29,942 | 28,230 |
| International students | 13% | 17% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $100K | $97K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $98K | $110K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $141K | $189K |
| Graduation rate | 95% | 95.5% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 98% |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $65,025 | $68,268 |
| Avg. aid package | $67,855 | $75,301 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $30,400 | $24,255 |
| Application fee | $85 | — |
| Enrollment | 13,042 | 7,273 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Notre dame or Dartmouth?
It's harder to get into Dartmouth. Notre dame accepts 11.3% of applicants, while Dartmouth accepts 5.4%.
Do Notre dame or Dartmouth graduates earn more?
Earnings are practically equal — 10 years after enrollment, the median is $100K at Notre dame and $97K at Dartmouth.
How much is tuition at Notre dame vs Dartmouth?
Sticker-price tuition is $65,025 per year at Notre dame and $68,268 per year at Dartmouth.
What SAT score do you need for Notre dame or Dartmouth?
The median admitted SAT score is 1520 at Notre dame and 1534 at Dartmouth; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university offers more financial aid — Notre dame or Dartmouth?
The average aid package is $67,855 at Notre dame and $75,301 at Dartmouth.
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