Yale vs Dartmouth - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Statistically these are twins: on every comparable axis the differences sit within the noise.
At 4.7% and 6%, both admissions processes remain a lottery for any candidate; the difference between them is not an argument here.
The price list does not separate these two: $72,500 and $71,525.
Both universities state that they meet the full assessed financial need, so the gap in list prices need not reach your own bill.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
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
Yale is the more selective of the two (4.7% vs 6.02% acceptance). Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#11 vs #301-400). Yale graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($101K vs $97K). Dartmouth has lower sticker-price tuition ($71,525 vs $72,500 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 Yale for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Dartmouth for: lower tuition, a larger aid package.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Yale is more selective (4.7% vs 6.02% acceptance); Yale has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1520).
Yale graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($101K vs $97K); Yale has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.7% vs 95.5%).
Dartmouth has lower sticker-price tuition ($71,525 vs $72,500); Dartmouth offers a larger average aid package ($75,301 vs $74,353).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Yale | Dartmouth |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #11 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | #10 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 4.7% | 6.02% |
| Yield rate | 68.4% | 70.9% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1520 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 50,264 | 28,230 |
| International students | 10.6% | 14.5% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $101K | $97K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $66K | $65K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $194K | $189K |
| Graduation rate | 95.7% | 95.5% |
| Retention rate | 99.4% | 98% |
| Median debt | $12,975 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $72,500 | $71,525 |
| Avg. aid package | $74,353 | $75,301 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,185 | $24,255 |
| Application fee | $80 | - |
| Enrollment | 15,657 | 7,273 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Yale or Dartmouth?
It's harder to get into Yale. Yale accepts 4.7% of applicants, while Dartmouth accepts 6.02%.
Do Yale or Dartmouth graduates earn more?
Yale graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $101K vs $97K.
How much is tuition at Yale vs Dartmouth?
Sticker-price tuition is $72,500 per year at Yale and $71,525 per year at Dartmouth.
What SAT score do you need for Yale or Dartmouth?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Yale and 1520 at Dartmouth; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Yale or Dartmouth?
Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #11 for Yale vs #301-400 for Dartmouth.
Which university offers more financial aid - Yale or Dartmouth?
The average aid package is $74,353 at Yale and $75,301 at Dartmouth.
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