Head-to-Head Comparison
Dartmouth College vs Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- Dartmouth Wins
- 18
- Tied
- 15
- Massachusetts Pharmacy Wins
- 15
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Dartmouth College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $29,519 vs Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's $39,545, Dartmouth College delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Dartmouth College'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
- Lower cost: Average net price of $29,519, roughly $10,026 a year less
- 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
Massachusetts Pharmacy
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment, 29% more than Dartmouth College
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Dartmouth graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (24% of degrees); Massachusetts Pharmacy in Health Professions (93%). 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 Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences over Dartmouth College. Median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment vs $97,434.
Pick Dartmouth College over Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Net price $29,519 vs $39,545.
Pick Dartmouth College over Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. 96% completion rate vs 63%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Dartmouth College and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences 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 Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences takes 85%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,534 to 1,269.
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 $10,026 a year below Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's $39,545. Graduates of Dartmouth College also borrow less: median debt of $17,500, against $25,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $40,104 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, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates report median earnings of $125,557, compared with $97,434 at Dartmouth College. That is a 29% advantage. Set against borrowing, Dartmouth College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.2x.
So what: An earnings gap of 29% 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 63%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 33% 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Dartmouth College to keep costs and debt down; pick Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Dartmouth College saves about $10,026 a year, yet Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn $28,123 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Dartmouth College concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science & IT, while Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences leans toward Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
No strong negative signals — Dartmouth competes well across the dimensions measured.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $39,545 runs well above Dartmouth College's $29,519.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,000, against $17,500 at Dartmouth College.
- Engineering-focused students: Dartmouth College has the stronger engineering programs.
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.
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
A full data profile for Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences — outcomes, cost, and admissions — is on its profile page.
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 Massachusetts Pharmacy leads with Nursing (BSN) (93%).
Massachusetts Pharmacy
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 Massachusetts Pharmacy).
The two schools feed different job markets. Dartmouth College is strongest in Social Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science & IT, while Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences concentrates in Health Professions, Psychology, Physical Sciences. 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.
Dartmouth
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Dartmouth College or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
Dartmouth College is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 85% at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Which is more affordable, Dartmouth College or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
Dartmouth College is more affordable, with an average net price of $29,519 after aid versus $39,545 at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Do Dartmouth College or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn more?
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn more: median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment, versus $97,434 at Dartmouth College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Dartmouth College or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
Dartmouth College has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 63%.
Should you choose Dartmouth College or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Dartmouth College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences 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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How do Dartmouth and Massachusetts Pharmacy 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.
