Head-to-Head Comparison
Dartmouth College vs Princeton University
- Dartmouth Wins
- 5
- Tied
- 19
- Princeton Wins
- 30
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Princeton University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $6,128 vs Dartmouth College's $29,519, Princeton University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Princeton University'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
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.4%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Princeton
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $110,066 ten years after enrollment, 13% more than Dartmouth College
- Lower cost: Average net price of $6,128, roughly $23,391 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $10,320, the lower of the two
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #5
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Dartmouth graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (24% of degrees); Princeton in Social Sciences (20%). 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 Princeton University over Dartmouth College. Median earnings of $110,066 ten years after enrollment vs $97,434.
Pick Princeton University over Dartmouth College. Net price $6,128 vs $29,519.
Pick Princeton University over Dartmouth College. THE World Rank #5 vs #99.
Pick Dartmouth College over Princeton University. 1.4% mobility rate vs 1.3%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Dartmouth College and Princeton University are close on paper, but Princeton University wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Princeton University 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 1,553.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Princeton University 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, Princeton University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $6,128, about $23,391 a year below Dartmouth College's $29,519. Graduates of Princeton University also borrow less: median debt of $10,320, against $17,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $93,564 before any change in aid. Choosing Princeton University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Princeton University graduates report median earnings of $110,066, compared with $97,434 at Dartmouth College. That is a 13% advantage. Set against borrowing, Princeton University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.09x to 0.18x.
So what: An earnings gap of 13% 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
Dartmouth College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.4%; at Princeton University, it is 1.3%. Dartmouth College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 2.8% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Dartmouth College 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, Princeton University sits higher, at #5 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 Princeton University to keep costs and debt down; pick Dartmouth College if upward mobility and access matter most.
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
Princeton University is harder to get into, with a 5% admit rate, but Dartmouth College posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.4%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $29,519 runs well above Princeton University's $6,128.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $17,500, against $10,320 at Princeton University.
No strong negative signals — Princeton competes well across the dimensions measured.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Princeton holds onto its admits more tightly: 75% of admitted students enroll, versus 71% at Dartmouth — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Dartmouth offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Princeton does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. Test scores matter less at Princeton, where only about 80% 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
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.
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 5%, Princeton University is not for everyone, but for those who make the cut, it’s a place where ambition meets opportunity. The school attracts bright minds, particularly in fields like Social Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, and Biology. Students here are often deeply engaged in their studies, working alongside faculty who are leaders in their fields. This kind of environment fosters not just learning but also a strong sense of community among peers.
After graduation, the benefits of attending Princeton are clear. Alumni can expect an impressive average earning of $110,066 within a decade of finishing their degrees. This speaks volumes about the value of a Princeton education, especially when considering the high graduation rate of 97%. The school’s focus on producing skilled graduates who excel in their careers contributes significantly to their long-term success.
When it comes to finances, the net price after aid is manageable at $6,128, and the median debt stands at $10,320. This means many graduates leave with a realistic financial outlook, allowing them to focus on their careers rather than being weighed down by overwhelming debt. Students who thrive here often come from diverse backgrounds, bringing a variety of perspectives that enhance classroom discussions and campus life.
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 20% of Princeton's.
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 Princeton).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Dartmouth College or Princeton University?
Princeton University is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 5% at Dartmouth College.
Which is more affordable, Dartmouth College or Princeton University?
Princeton University is more affordable, with an average net price of $6,128 after aid versus $29,519 at Dartmouth College.
Do Dartmouth College or Princeton University graduates earn more?
Princeton University graduates earn more: median earnings of $110,066 ten years after enrollment, versus $97,434 at Dartmouth College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Dartmouth College or Princeton University?
Princeton University has the higher graduation rate, 97% versus 96%.
Dartmouth College vs Princeton University: which is better for social mobility?
Dartmouth College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.4% versus 1.3%.
Should you choose Dartmouth College or Princeton University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Princeton University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Dartmouth College if upward mobility and access to low-income students matter most. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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