Head-to-Head Comparison
Boston University vs Dartmouth College
- Boston Wins
- 21
- Tied
- 13
- Dartmouth Wins
- 20
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Boston University offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Dartmouth College achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 89%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $29,519 compared to Boston University's $24,402. Students who choose Boston University benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $83,238 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Boston
- Lower cost: Average net price of $24,402, roughly $5,117 a year less
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #59
Dartmouth
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $97,434 ten years after enrollment, 17% more than Boston University
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $17,500, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 5% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Boston graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (16% of degrees); Dartmouth in Social Sciences (24%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Dartmouth College over Boston University. Median earnings of $97,434 ten years after enrollment vs $83,238.
Pick Boston University over Dartmouth College. Net price $24,402 vs $29,519.
Pick Boston University over Dartmouth College. THE World Rank #59 vs #99.
Pick Boston University over Dartmouth College. 2% mobility rate vs 1.4%.
Pick Dartmouth College over Boston University. 96% completion rate vs 89%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Boston University and Dartmouth College are close on paper, but Dartmouth College wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Dartmouth College is the harder admit. It takes 5% of applicants, while Boston University takes 11%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,480 to 1,534.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Dartmouth College sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Boston University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $24,402, about $5,117 a year below Dartmouth College's $29,519. Graduates of Dartmouth College also borrow less: median debt of $17,500, against $23,250.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $20,468 before any change in aid. Choosing Boston University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Dartmouth College graduates report median earnings of $97,434, compared with $83,238 at Boston University. That is a 17% advantage. Set against borrowing, Dartmouth College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.28x.
So what: An earnings gap of 17% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Dartmouth College graduates a larger share of its students, 96% versus 89%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 6% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Boston University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2%; at Dartmouth College, it is 1.4%. Boston University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.8%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Boston University offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Research standing
In the Times Higher Education world table, Boston University sits higher, at #59 versus #99.
So what: Research rank matters most for students headed to graduate school or hoping to work in faculty labs. For undergraduates going straight into the job market, it is a weak predictor of earnings.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Boston University to keep costs and debt down; pick Dartmouth College for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Boston University saves about $5,117 a year, yet Dartmouth College graduates earn $14,196 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Dartmouth College is harder to get into, with a 5% admit rate, but Boston University posts the higher mobility rate, at 2%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Research prestige does not track graduate pay in this pairing. Boston University ranks higher globally (#59 vs #99), but Dartmouth College alumni out-earn theirs ten years after enrollment. For undergraduates outside research careers, the rank is the weaker guide.
Their academic identities diverge. Boston University concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Communications, while Dartmouth College leans toward Engineering, Computer Science & IT. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $23,250, against $17,500 at Dartmouth College.
- Engineering-focused students: Dartmouth College has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Boston University's enrollment of 18,248 far exceeds Dartmouth College's 4,541.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $29,519 runs well above Boston University's $24,402.
- Business and consulting-track students: Dartmouth College has less business program depth, and Boston University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Dartmouth holds onto its admits more tightly: 71% of admitted students enroll, versus 35% at Boston — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Boston (31.3% Early Decision admit rate vs 21.6%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice. Test scores matter less at Boston, where only about 46% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Boston University
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 11%, Boston University is a great fit for motivated students who are ready to engage with a vibrant urban campus. It's an appealing choice for those interested in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Communications, Biology & Biomedical, or Computer Science & IT. The school’s diverse offerings attract students who are eager to explore various disciplines and prepare for dynamic careers.
After graduation, students from Boston University can expect to earn an impressive average of $83,238 within a decade. This means graduates are stepping into solid financial footing relatively quickly, which is encouraging for those considering their return on investment. With a graduation rate of 89%, it shows that students not only enroll but also successfully complete their degrees, paving the way for upward mobility in their careers.
When it comes to the practical side of financing your education, the net price after aid stands at approximately $24,402, which is manageable for many families. The median debt for graduates is $23,250, a figure that many could navigate effectively post-graduation. Students who thrive here tend to be those who are ready to take advantage of Boston’s resources and connections, ultimately setting themselves up for successful futures.
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 5%, Dartmouth College attracts students who are not only academically gifted but also eager to engage deeply in their studies. The student body, numbering around 4,541, tends to gravitate toward popular fields like Social Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Biology. This creates a vibrant intellectual community where collaboration and exploration are at the forefront. If you thrive in a competitive environment and are looking for a college experience that emphasizes both rigorous academics and a tight-knit community, Dartmouth might be a good fit for you.
Looking ahead to life after graduation, students from Dartmouth see impressive earnings, averaging $97,434 within ten years of graduating. This financial trajectory speaks volumes about the value of a Dartmouth degree in the job market. Affordability is also a consideration, with a net price of $29,519 after financial aid, making it somewhat accessible for many families. While the Pell Grant rate is relatively low at 14%, those who do receive aid can significantly lessen their financial burden, setting them up for a more secure future.
When it comes to the practicalities, the median debt for graduates is $17,500, which is manageable compared to many institutions. This financial landscape suggests that students who thrive here are often those who are ambitious and ready to engage with both the academic and extracurricular opportunities available. Dartmouth fosters a culture that encourages personal growth and professional success, making it a great place for driven individuals looking to make their mark.
Rankings They Appear On
Boston University is featured on the Best Communications Colleges in Massachusetts ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Boston's top program is Business Administration (16% of enrollment), while Dartmouth leads with Sociology (24%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Boston) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Dartmouth).
The two schools feed different job markets. Boston University is strongest in Business & Marketing, Communications, while Dartmouth College concentrates in Engineering, Computer Science & IT. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Boston University or Dartmouth College?
Dartmouth College is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 11% at Boston University.
Which is more affordable, Boston University or Dartmouth College?
Boston University is more affordable, with an average net price of $24,402 after aid versus $29,519 at Dartmouth College.
Do Boston University or Dartmouth College graduates earn more?
Dartmouth College graduates earn more: median earnings of $97,434 ten years after enrollment, versus $83,238 at Boston University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Boston University or Dartmouth College?
Dartmouth College has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 89%.
Boston University vs Dartmouth College: which is better for social mobility?
Boston University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2% versus 1.4%.
Should you choose Boston University or Dartmouth College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Boston University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Dartmouth College if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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