Head-to-Head Comparison
Dartmouth College vs Vanderbilt University
- Dartmouth Wins
- 19
- Tied
- 11
- Vanderbilt Wins
- 24
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Vanderbilt University 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 Vanderbilt University's $15,846 for in-state paths. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Vanderbilt 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
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $97,434 ten years after enrollment, 6% more than Vanderbilt University
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
Vanderbilt
- Lower cost: Average net price of $15,846, roughly $13,673 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $14,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.5%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #51
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Dartmouth graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (24% of degrees); Vanderbilt in Social Sciences (31%). 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 Vanderbilt University. Median earnings of $97,434 ten years after enrollment vs $91,565.
Pick Vanderbilt University over Dartmouth College. Net price $15,846 vs $29,519.
Pick Vanderbilt University over Dartmouth College. THE World Rank #51 vs #99.
Pick Vanderbilt University over Dartmouth College. 1.5% 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 Vanderbilt University split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
Dartmouth College is the harder admit. It takes 5% of applicants, while Vanderbilt University takes 6%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,534 to 1,549.
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, Vanderbilt University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $15,846, about $13,673 a year below Dartmouth College's $29,519. Graduates of Vanderbilt University also borrow less: median debt of $14,000, against $17,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $54,692 before any change in aid. Choosing Vanderbilt University 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 $91,565 at Vanderbilt University. That is a 6% advantage. Set against borrowing, Vanderbilt University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.15x to 0.18x.
So what: An earnings gap of 6% 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
Vanderbilt University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.5%; at Dartmouth College, it is 1.4%. Dartmouth College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 2.8% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.5%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Vanderbilt 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, Vanderbilt University sits higher, at #51 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 Vanderbilt University to keep costs and debt down; pick Dartmouth College for the higher earnings ceiling.
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
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Vanderbilt University saves about $13,673 a year, yet Dartmouth College graduates earn $5,869 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Dartmouth College is harder to get into, with a 5% admit rate, but Vanderbilt University posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.5%. 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. Vanderbilt University ranks higher globally (#51 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
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $29,519 runs well above Vanderbilt University's $15,846.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $17,500, against $14,000 at Vanderbilt University.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Vanderbilt University's enrollment of 7,208 far exceeds Dartmouth College's 4,541.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Vanderbilt holds onto its admits more tightly: 78% of admitted students enroll, versus 71% at Dartmouth — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Dartmouth (21.6% Early Decision admit rate vs 14.1%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice. Test scores matter less at Vanderbilt, where only about 52% 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.
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 6%, Vanderbilt University attracts motivated students who are ready to dive into rigorous programs. Located in Nashville, this school is particularly appealing to those interested in Social Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, Biology, and Psychology. The small enrollment of about 7,200 means students often benefit from smaller class sizes, fostering a close-knit academic community where collaboration thrives.
Looking ahead to life after graduation, Vanderbilt graduates can expect to earn a median salary of $91,565 within ten years. This impressive figure reflects the university's strong emphasis on career readiness and networking opportunities. While the data on mobility isn't available, the high graduation rate of 93% speaks to the support students receive, which can help them move into successful careers.
When it comes to the financial aspect, students can expect a net price of around $15,846 after aid, which is quite manageable given the potential earnings. With a median debt of $14,000, graduates usually leave with a reasonable financial burden. Students who thrive here are often those who are driven, engaged, and ready to leverage the university's resources to achieve their goals.
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 31% of Vanderbilt'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 Vanderbilt).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Dartmouth College or Vanderbilt University?
Dartmouth College is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 6% at Vanderbilt University.
Which is more affordable, Dartmouth College or Vanderbilt University?
Vanderbilt University is more affordable, with an average net price of $15,846 after aid versus $29,519 at Dartmouth College.
Do Dartmouth College or Vanderbilt University graduates earn more?
Dartmouth College graduates earn more: median earnings of $97,434 ten years after enrollment, versus $91,565 at Vanderbilt University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Dartmouth College or Vanderbilt University?
Dartmouth College has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 93%.
Dartmouth College vs Vanderbilt University: which is better for social mobility?
Vanderbilt University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.5% versus 1.4%.
Should you choose Dartmouth College or Vanderbilt University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Vanderbilt University 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.
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