Rochester vs Dartmouth - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Dartmouth admits 6% of applicants, while Rochester admits 40.1%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 22.1% (Rochester) against 14.5% (Dartmouth).
Average aid for an international student is $87,562 (Dartmouth) and $41,269 (Rochester).
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Dartmouth lists $96,098 against $93,614 (Rochester), but after average aid what remains is $20,797 against $32,735.
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 40.08% acceptance). Rochester ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#151-200 vs #301-400). Dartmouth graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($97K vs $79K). Rochester has lower sticker-price tuition ($70,284 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 Rochester for: a higher world ranking, lower tuition.
Choose Dartmouth for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Dartmouth is more selective (6.02% vs 40.08% acceptance); Dartmouth has a higher median SAT (1520 vs 1470).
Dartmouth graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($97K vs $79K); Dartmouth has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.5% vs 85.4%).
Rochester has lower sticker-price tuition ($70,284 vs $71,525); Dartmouth offers a larger average aid package ($75,301 vs $60,879).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rochester | Dartmouth |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #151-200 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | #127 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 40.08% | 6.02% |
| Yield rate | 15.4% | 70.9% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1520 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.72 | - |
| Number of applications | 21,384 | 28,230 |
| International students | 22.1% | 14.5% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $79K | $97K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $50K | $65K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $117K | $189K |
| Graduation rate | 85.4% | 95.5% |
| Retention rate | 90.7% | 98% |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $70,284 | $71,525 |
| Avg. aid package | $60,879 | $75,301 |
| % of need met | 96.1% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,304 | $24,255 |
| Application fee | $50 | - |
| Enrollment | 11,946 | 7,273 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rochester or Dartmouth?
It's harder to get into Dartmouth. Rochester accepts 40.08% of applicants, while Dartmouth accepts 6.02%.
Do Rochester or Dartmouth graduates earn more?
Dartmouth graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $97K vs $79K.
How much is tuition at Rochester vs Dartmouth?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,284 per year at Rochester and $71,525 per year at Dartmouth.
What SAT score do you need for Rochester or Dartmouth?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at Rochester and 1520 at Dartmouth; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rochester or Dartmouth?
Rochester ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #151-200 for Rochester vs #301-400 for Dartmouth.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rochester or Dartmouth?
The average aid package is $60,879 at Rochester and $75,301 at Dartmouth.
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