Head-to-Head Comparison
Dartmouth College vs Georgetown University
- Dartmouth Wins
- 23
- Tied
- 12
- Georgetown Wins
- 19
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Dartmouth College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $29,519 vs Georgetown University's $40,815, Dartmouth College delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose Dartmouth College benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $97,434 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Dartmouth
- Lower cost: Average net price of $29,519, roughly $11,296 a year less
- More selective: Admits 5% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #99
Georgetown
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment, 6% more than Dartmouth College
- Less debt: Median debt of $15,500, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.9%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Dartmouth graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (24% of degrees); Georgetown in Social Sciences (36%). 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 Georgetown University over Dartmouth College. Median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment vs $97,434.
Pick Dartmouth College over Georgetown University. Net price $29,519 vs $40,815.
Pick Dartmouth College over Georgetown University. THE World Rank #99 vs #164.
Pick Georgetown University over Dartmouth College. 1.9% 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 Georgetown University split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
Dartmouth College is the harder admit. It takes 5% of applicants, while Georgetown University takes 13%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,534 to 1,487.
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, Dartmouth College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $29,519, about $11,296 a year below Georgetown University's $40,815. Graduates of Georgetown University also borrow less: median debt of $15,500, against $17,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $45,184 before any change in aid. Choosing Dartmouth College leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Georgetown University graduates report median earnings of $103,494, compared with $97,434 at Dartmouth College. That is a 6% advantage. Set against borrowing, Georgetown University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.15x to 0.18x.
So what: An earnings gap of 6% 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
Georgetown University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.9%; at Dartmouth College, it is 1.4%. Georgetown University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.2% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.8%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Georgetown 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, Dartmouth College sits higher, at #99 versus #164.
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 Dartmouth College to keep costs and debt down; pick Georgetown University 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. Dartmouth College saves about $11,296 a year, yet Georgetown University graduates earn $6,060 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 Georgetown University posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.9%. 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. Dartmouth College ranks higher globally (#99 vs #164), but Georgetown University alumni out-earn theirs ten years after enrollment. For undergraduates outside research careers, the rank is the weaker guide.
Their academic identities diverge. Dartmouth College concentrates enrollment in Engineering, Computer Science & IT, while Georgetown University leans toward Business & Marketing, Legal Studies. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Business and consulting-track students: Dartmouth College has less business program depth, and Georgetown University offers the stronger options.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $40,815 runs well above Dartmouth College's $29,519.
- Engineering-focused students: Dartmouth College has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Georgetown University's enrollment of 7,569 far exceeds Dartmouth College's 4,541.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Dartmouth holds onto its admits more tightly: 71% of admitted students enroll, versus 44% at Georgetown — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Dartmouth offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Georgetown does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
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
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.
Georgetown University
Washington, DC · Private nonprofit
Georgetown University has a remarkable graduation rate of 95%, signaling strong student retention and success. This high rate indicates a supportive academic environment where most students complete their degrees on time, an essential factor for those considering their future careers.
According to Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, specific mobility metrics are not available for Georgetown. However, the university's strong academic reputation suggests that graduates may have favorable outcomes in terms of career advancement and income, contributing positively to social mobility over time.
The net price of attendance at Georgetown is $40,815, with a median debt of $15,500 upon graduation. Graduates can expect to earn an average of $103,494 within ten years of completing their degree. Students who thrive here often pursue careers in social sciences, business, law, or health professions, benefiting from the university's strategic location in Washington, DC, which offers ample internship and job opportunities.
Rankings They Appear On
Dartmouth College is featured on the Best Colleges in New Hampshire ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 24% of Dartmouth's student body and 36% of Georgetown's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Dartmouth) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Georgetown).
The two schools feed different job markets. Dartmouth College is strongest in Engineering, Computer Science & IT, while Georgetown University concentrates in Business & Marketing, Legal Studies. 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 Georgetown University?
Dartmouth College is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 13% at Georgetown University.
Which is more affordable, Dartmouth College or Georgetown University?
Dartmouth College is more affordable, with an average net price of $29,519 after aid versus $40,815 at Georgetown University.
Do Dartmouth College or Georgetown University graduates earn more?
Georgetown University graduates earn more: median earnings of $103,494 ten years after enrollment, versus $97,434 at Dartmouth College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Dartmouth College or Georgetown University?
Dartmouth College has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 95%.
Dartmouth College vs Georgetown University: which is better for social mobility?
Georgetown University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.9% versus 1.4%.
Should you choose Dartmouth College or Georgetown University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Dartmouth College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Georgetown University 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.
More Comparisons
View all →Weigh Your Options
Best Colleges in America
How do Dartmouth and Georgetown stack up against regional and national alternatives when evaluated on pure socioeconomic mobility, graduate earnings, and long-term return on investment? Explore the full, verified dataset on our comprehensive rankings directory.
