Head-to-Head Comparison
Dartmouth College vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Dartmouth Wins
- 5
- Tied
- 15
- Massachusetts Technology Wins
- 34
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $20,111 vs Dartmouth College's $29,519, Massachusetts Institute of Technology delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Massachusetts Institute of Technology's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Dartmouth
No clear advantage detected in core metrics.
Massachusetts Technology
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $143,372 ten years after enrollment, 47% more than Dartmouth College
- Lower cost: Average net price of $20,111, roughly $9,408 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $14,768, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 3.4%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #3
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Dartmouth graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (24% of degrees); Massachusetts Technology in Computer Science & IT (35%). 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 Institute of Technology over Dartmouth College. Median earnings of $143,372 ten years after enrollment vs $97,434.
Pick Massachusetts Institute of Technology over Dartmouth College. Net price $20,111 vs $29,519.
Pick Massachusetts Institute of Technology over Dartmouth College. THE World Rank #3 vs #99.
Pick Massachusetts Institute of Technology over Dartmouth College. 3.4% 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology are close on paper, but Massachusetts Institute of Technology wins the head-to-head, leading on 6 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the harder admit. It takes 5% of applicants, while Dartmouth College takes 5%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,534 to 1,560.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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, Massachusetts Institute of Technology comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $20,111, about $9,408 a year below Dartmouth College's $29,519. Graduates of Massachusetts Institute of Technology also borrow less: median debt of $14,768, against $17,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $37,632 before any change in aid. Choosing Massachusetts Institute of Technology leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates report median earnings of $143,372, compared with $97,434 at Dartmouth College. That is a 47% advantage. Set against borrowing, Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.1x to 0.18x.
So what: An earnings gap of 47% 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
Massachusetts Institute of Technology does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 3.4%; at Dartmouth College, it is 1.4%. Massachusetts Institute of Technology also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.1% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.8%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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, Massachusetts Institute of Technology sits higher, at #3 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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
Their academic identities diverge. Dartmouth College concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, while Massachusetts Institute of Technology leans toward Mathematics & Statistics. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $29,519 runs well above Massachusetts Institute of Technology's $20,111.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $17,500, against $14,768 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Dartmouth College's enrollment, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology is stronger here.
No strong negative signals — Massachusetts Technology competes well across the dimensions measured.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Dartmouth offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Massachusetts Technology 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.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 5%, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology attracts a highly motivated and academically driven student body. This is a place for those who excel in challenging fields, particularly in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physical sciences, and biology. Students here are often hands-on learners, engaging in rigorous projects and research that push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Once students graduate, they typically see significant financial returns on their investment. With an average salary of $143,372 after ten years, graduates are well-positioned in the job market. This level of earning power speaks volumes about the value of the education they receive here. The affordability of attending is also noteworthy; with a net price of $20,111 after aid, many students leave with a manageable median debt of $14,768, making the financial landscape more navigable.
The practical aspects of attending MIT align well with the ambitions of its students. Those who thrive here are often those who embrace intense academic rigor and collaborative environments. With a graduation rate of 96%, it’s clear that the supportive community helps students succeed. The combination of a strong educational foundation and a network of driven peers prepares graduates for a range of career paths and success in their chosen fields.
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 Technology leads with Computer Science (35%).
Massachusetts Technology
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 Massachusetts Technology).
The two schools feed different job markets. Dartmouth College is strongest in Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, while Massachusetts Institute of Technology concentrates in Mathematics & Statistics, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Dartmouth College or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 5% at Dartmouth College.
Which is more affordable, Dartmouth College or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is more affordable, with an average net price of $20,111 after aid versus $29,519 at Dartmouth College.
Do Dartmouth College or Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $143,372 ten years after enrollment, versus $97,434 at Dartmouth College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Dartmouth College or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 96%.
Dartmouth College vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology: which is better for social mobility?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 3.4% versus 1.4%.
Should you choose Dartmouth College or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Massachusetts Institute of Technology if affordability and lower debt come first. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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