Rhode Island 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, Rhode Island admits 72.2%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 14.5% (Dartmouth) against 1.2% (Rhode Island).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Dartmouth awards international students $87,562 on average, Rhode Island awards $26,565.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Dartmouth starts at $96,098 against $54,758 and ends at $20,797 against $37,163 (Rhode Island).
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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 72.2% acceptance). Dartmouth ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #301-400). Dartmouth graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($97K vs $70K). Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 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 Rhode Island 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 72.2% acceptance); Dartmouth has a higher median SAT (1520 vs 1160).
Dartmouth graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($97K vs $70K); Dartmouth has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.5% vs 73.3%).
Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 vs $71,525); Dartmouth offers a larger average aid package ($75,301 vs $17,595).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rhode Island | Dartmouth |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 72.2% | 6.02% |
| Yield rate | 16.4% | 70.9% |
| Median SAT | 1160 | 1520 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.65 | - |
| Number of applications | 28,021 | 28,230 |
| International students | 1.2% | 14.5% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $97K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $44K | $65K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $189K |
| Graduation rate | 73.3% | 95.5% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 98% |
| Median debt | $22,250 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $38,398 | $71,525 |
| Avg. aid package | $17,595 | $75,301 |
| % of need met | 57% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $42,945 | $24,255 |
| Application fee | $65 | - |
| Enrollment | 14,466 | 7,273 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rhode Island or Dartmouth?
It's harder to get into Dartmouth. Rhode Island accepts 72.2% of applicants, while Dartmouth accepts 6.02%.
Do Rhode Island or Dartmouth graduates earn more?
Dartmouth graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $97K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Rhode Island vs Dartmouth?
Sticker-price tuition is $38,398 per year at Rhode Island and $71,525 per year at Dartmouth.
What SAT score do you need for Rhode Island or Dartmouth?
The median admitted SAT score is 1160 at Rhode Island and 1520 at Dartmouth; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rhode Island or Dartmouth?
Dartmouth ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Rhode Island vs #301-400 for Dartmouth.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rhode Island or Dartmouth?
The average aid package is $17,595 at Rhode Island and $75,301 at Dartmouth.
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