Head-to-Head Comparison
Dartmouth College vs University of California-Los Angeles
- Dartmouth Wins
- 17
- Tied
- 20
- California-Los Angeles Wins
- 17
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of California-Los Angeles offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Dartmouth College achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 93%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $29,519 compared to University of California-Los Angeles's $12,548 for in-state paths. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, University of California-Los Angeles'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
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $97,434 ten years after enrollment, 18% more than University of California-Los Angeles
- 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
California-Los Angeles
- Lower cost: Average net price of $12,548, roughly $16,971 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $14,000, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Dartmouth graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (24% of degrees); California-Los Angeles in Social Sciences (25%). 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 University of California-Los Angeles. Median earnings of $97,434 ten years after enrollment vs $82,511.
Pick University of California-Los Angeles over Dartmouth College. Net price $12,548 vs $29,519.
Pick Dartmouth College over University of California-Los Angeles. 96% completion rate vs 93%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Dartmouth College and University of California-Los Angeles are close on paper, but Dartmouth College wins the head-to-head, leading on 3 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 University of California-Los Angeles takes 9%.
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, University of California-Los Angeles comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $12,548, about $16,971 a year below Dartmouth College's $29,519. Graduates of University of California-Los Angeles also borrow less: median debt of $14,000, against $17,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $67,884 before any change in aid. Choosing University of California-Los Angeles 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 $82,511 at University of California-Los Angeles. That is a 18% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of California-Los Angeles has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.17x to 0.18x.
So what: An earnings gap of 18% 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 93%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 3% 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 University of California-Los Angeles to keep costs and debt down; pick Dartmouth College 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. University of California-Los Angeles saves about $16,971 a year, yet Dartmouth College graduates earn $14,923 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 Engineering, Computer Science & IT, while University of California-Los Angeles leans toward Biology & Biomedical, Psychology. 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 University of California-Los Angeles's $12,548.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $17,500, against $14,000 at University of California-Los Angeles.
- Engineering-focused students: Dartmouth College has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of California-Los Angeles's enrollment of 33,475 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 48% at California-Los Angeles — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Dartmouth offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; California-Los Angeles 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.
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
Only 9% of applicants gain admission to the University of California-Los Angeles, making it one of the most selective public universities in the country. With an enrollment of nearly 33,500 students, UCLA combines a competitive environment with a high graduation rate of 93%. This commitment to student success reflects the university's dedication to academic excellence.
Graduates from UCLA see strong financial outcomes, with a median earnings of $82,511 a decade after graduation. While specific mobility metrics are not available, the university's programs in fields like Social Sciences, Biology, and Engineering contribute to its reputation for fostering upward economic mobility among its graduates. The 28% of students receiving Pell Grants highlights its support for low-income students, balancing accessibility with high achievement.
Attending UCLA comes with a net price of $12,548 and a median debt of $14,000, making it a financially viable option for many students. Those who thrive here are often driven, academically inclined, and eager to engage in a vibrant campus culture. With a strong focus on research and a diverse student body, UCLA is well-suited for those looking to make an impact in their chosen fields.
Rankings They Appear On
Dartmouth College and University of California-Los Angeles appear together in 4 rankings. On the Highest-Yield Colleges (Most-Loved), Dartmouth College ranks #6 — Dartmouth College outranks University of California-Los Angeles by 30 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 24% of Dartmouth's student body and 25% of California-Los Angeles's.
California-Los Angeles
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Dartmouth) and Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer (for California-Los Angeles).
The two schools feed different job markets. Dartmouth College is strongest in Computer Science & IT, while University of California-Los Angeles concentrates in Psychology. 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 University of California-Los Angeles?
Dartmouth College is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 9% at University of California-Los Angeles.
Which is more affordable, Dartmouth College or University of California-Los Angeles?
University of California-Los Angeles is more affordable, with an average net price of $12,548 after aid versus $29,519 at Dartmouth College.
Do Dartmouth College or University of California-Los Angeles graduates earn more?
Dartmouth College graduates earn more: median earnings of $97,434 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,511 at University of California-Los Angeles.
Which has a better graduation rate, Dartmouth College or University of California-Los Angeles?
Dartmouth College has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 93%.
Should you choose Dartmouth College or University of California-Los Angeles?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of California-Los Angeles if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Dartmouth College 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 California-Los Angeles 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.
