Head-to-Head Comparison
Dartmouth College vs Cornell University
- Dartmouth Wins
- 14
- Tied
- 8
- Cornell Wins
- 26
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Cornell University offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Dartmouth College achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 95%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $29,519 compared to Cornell University's $28,690 for in-state paths. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Cornell University's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
48 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Dartmouth
- More selective: Admits 5% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Cornell
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $104,043 ten years after enrollment, 7% more than Dartmouth College
- Lower cost: Average net price of $28,690, roughly $829 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $14,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.9%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #14
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Dartmouth graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (24% of degrees); Cornell in Computer Science & IT (19%). 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 Cornell University over Dartmouth College. Median earnings of $104,043 ten years after enrollment vs $97,434.
Pick Cornell University over Dartmouth College. Net price $28,690 vs $29,519.
Pick Cornell University over Dartmouth College. THE World Rank #14 vs #99.
Pick Cornell University over Dartmouth College. 2.9% mobility rate vs 1.4%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Dartmouth College and Cornell University are close on paper, but Cornell University 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 Cornell University takes 9%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,534 to 1,535.
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, Cornell University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $28,690, about $829 a year below Dartmouth College's $29,519. Graduates of Cornell University also borrow less: median debt of $14,000, against $17,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $3,316 before any change in aid. Choosing Cornell University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Cornell University graduates report median earnings of $104,043, compared with $97,434 at Dartmouth College. That is a 7% advantage. Set against borrowing, Cornell University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.13x to 0.18x.
So what: An earnings gap of 7% 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.
Moving people up
Cornell University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.9%; at Dartmouth College, it is 1.4%. Cornell University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4.9% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.8%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Cornell 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, Cornell University sits higher, at #14 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 Cornell University to keep costs and debt down.
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
Dartmouth College is harder to get into, with a 5% admit rate, but Cornell University posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.9%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Dartmouth College concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, while Cornell University leans toward Business & Marketing. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $17,500, against $14,000 at Cornell University.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Dartmouth College's enrollment, and Cornell University is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Cornell University's enrollment of 15,995 far exceeds Dartmouth College's 4,541.
Full Data Breakdown
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 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
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.
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY · Private nonprofit
Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, is a fitting choice for students who are academically driven and eager for a deeply engaging campus experience. With an acceptance rate of just 9%, this school attracts some of the brightest minds, and it has a graduation rate of 95%. Students here dive into popular programs like Computer Science, Business, and Engineering, all of which are designed to prepare them for competitive fields.
After graduation, individuals from Cornell see impressive financial returns, with a median earning of about $104,043 after ten years. This level of income reflects the value of the education received and the strong career paths available to graduates. Although the cost of attendance can be significant, the financial aid landscape is supportive, especially for those who qualify for Pell Grants, which help about 18% of students.
The net price after aid stands at approximately $28,690, which is manageable considering the median debt of $14,000 that graduates carry. This financial framework means that most students can graduate with a reasonable amount of debt, allowing them to focus on their careers and aspirations rather than being weighed down by financial burdens. Those who thrive at Cornell are typically motivated, engaged, and ready to take advantage of the many resources and connections available to them.
Rankings They Appear On
Dartmouth College is featured on the Best Colleges in New Hampshire ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Dartmouth's top program is Sociology (24% of enrollment), while Cornell leads with Computer Science (19%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Dartmouth) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Cornell).
The two schools feed different job markets. Dartmouth College is strongest in Social Sciences, while Cornell University concentrates in Business & Marketing. 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 Dartmouth College or Cornell University?
Dartmouth College is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 9% at Cornell University.
Which is more affordable, Dartmouth College or Cornell University?
Cornell University is more affordable, with an average net price of $28,690 after aid versus $29,519 at Dartmouth College.
Do Dartmouth College or Cornell University graduates earn more?
Cornell University graduates earn more: median earnings of $104,043 ten years after enrollment, versus $97,434 at Dartmouth College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Dartmouth College or Cornell University?
Dartmouth College has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 95%.
Dartmouth College vs Cornell University: which is better for social mobility?
Cornell University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.9% versus 1.4%.
Should you choose Dartmouth College or Cornell University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Cornell University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Dartmouth College if you want the more selective, higher-stats peer group. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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