Head-to-Head Comparison
Dartmouth College vs Tufts University
- Dartmouth Wins
- 24
- Tied
- 16
- Tufts Wins
- 14
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Dartmouth College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $29,519 vs Tufts University's $39,998, 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
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $97,434 ten years after enrollment, 17% more than Tufts University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $29,519, roughly $10,479 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 5% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Tufts
- Less debt: Median debt of $16,250, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.1%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #53
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Dartmouth graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (24% of degrees); Tufts 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 Dartmouth College over Tufts University. Median earnings of $97,434 ten years after enrollment vs $83,214.
Pick Dartmouth College over Tufts University. Net price $29,519 vs $39,998.
Pick Tufts University over Dartmouth College. THE World Rank #53 vs #99.
Pick Tufts University over Dartmouth College. 2.1% 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 Tufts University 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 Tufts University takes 11%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,534 to 1,513.
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 $10,479 a year below Tufts University's $39,998. Graduates of Tufts University also borrow less: median debt of $16,250, against $17,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $41,916 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, Dartmouth College graduates report median earnings of $97,434, compared with $83,214 at Tufts University. That is a 17% advantage. Set against borrowing, Dartmouth College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.2x.
So what: An earnings gap of 17% 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
Tufts University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.1%; at Dartmouth College, it is 1.4%. Tufts University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.4% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.8%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Tufts 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, Tufts University sits higher, at #53 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 Dartmouth College to keep costs and debt down; pick Tufts University 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
Dartmouth College is harder to get into, with a 5% admit rate, but Tufts University posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.1%. 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. Tufts University ranks higher globally (#53 vs #99), but Dartmouth College alumni out-earn theirs ten years after enrollment. For undergraduates outside research careers, the rank is the weaker guide.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
No strong negative signals — Dartmouth competes well across the dimensions measured.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $39,998 runs well above Dartmouth College's $29,519.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Tufts University's enrollment of 7,061 far exceeds Dartmouth College's 4,541.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Dartmouth offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Tufts 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.
Tufts University
Medford, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 11%, Tufts University attracts students who are ready to engage in a vibrant academic community. This school is ideal for those passionate about social sciences, engineering, biology and biomedical fields, computer science and IT, or the visual and performing arts. What stands out is the commitment to a well-rounded education that encourages exploration and interdisciplinary study, making it a great fit for curious minds eager to make an impact.
After graduation, students can expect a solid earning potential, with a 10-year median salary of $83,214. This figure highlights the strong return on investment for graduates. With a graduation rate of 93%, it's clear that students not only thrive academically but also transition successfully into their careers. While the Pell Grant rate is at 12%, indicating that a smaller percentage of students come from low-income backgrounds, those who do tend to find pathways to upward mobility in their professional lives.
Looking at the practical side, the net price of attending Tufts is around $39,998 after aid, which is significant but manageable for many. Graduates carry a median debt of $16,250, a figure that suggests a thoughtful balance between investment in education and financial responsibility. Students who tend to thrive here are those who are driven, engaged, and ready to take advantage of the diverse opportunities available on campus and beyond.
Rankings They Appear On
Dartmouth College and Tufts University appear together in 2 rankings. On the Highest-Paying Colleges for Visual, Dartmouth College ranks #7 — Dartmouth College outranks Tufts University by 13 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 24% of Dartmouth's student body and 20% of Tufts'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 Tufts).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Dartmouth College or Tufts University?
Dartmouth College is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 11% at Tufts University.
Which is more affordable, Dartmouth College or Tufts University?
Dartmouth College is more affordable, with an average net price of $29,519 after aid versus $39,998 at Tufts University.
Do Dartmouth College or Tufts University graduates earn more?
Dartmouth College graduates earn more: median earnings of $97,434 ten years after enrollment, versus $83,214 at Tufts University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Dartmouth College or Tufts University?
Dartmouth College has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 93%.
Dartmouth College vs Tufts University: which is better for social mobility?
Tufts University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.1% versus 1.4%.
Should you choose Dartmouth College or Tufts University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Dartmouth College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Tufts University 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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