Head-to-Head Comparison
Dartmouth College vs Washington University in St Louis
- Dartmouth Wins
- 18
- Tied
- 16
- Washington St Wins
- 20
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Washington University in St Louis offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Dartmouth College achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 94%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $29,519 compared to Washington University in St Louis's $21,786 for in-state paths. Students who choose Washington University in St Louis benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $86,182 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, 13% more than Washington University in St Louis
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.4%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 5% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Washington St
- Lower cost: Average net price of $21,786, roughly $7,733 a year less
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #38
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Dartmouth graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (24% of degrees); Washington St in Engineering (14%). 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 Washington University in St Louis. Median earnings of $97,434 ten years after enrollment vs $86,182.
Pick Washington University in St Louis over Dartmouth College. Net price $21,786 vs $29,519.
Pick Washington University in St Louis over Dartmouth College. THE World Rank #38 vs #99.
Pick Dartmouth College over Washington University in St Louis. 1.4% mobility rate vs 1%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Dartmouth College and Washington University in St Louis 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 Washington University in St Louis takes 12%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,534 to 1,530.
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, Washington University in St Louis comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $21,786, about $7,733 a year below Dartmouth College's $29,519.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $30,932 before any change in aid. Choosing Washington University in St Louis 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 $86,182 at Washington University in St Louis. That is a 13% advantage. Set against borrowing, Dartmouth College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.2x.
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 Washington University in St Louis, it is 1%. Dartmouth College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 2.8% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.9%.
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, Washington University in St Louis sits higher, at #38 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 Washington University in St Louis 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. Washington University in St Louis saves about $7,733 a year, yet Dartmouth College graduates earn $11,252 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Research prestige does not track graduate pay in this pairing. Washington University in St Louis ranks higher globally (#38 vs #99), but Dartmouth College alumni out-earn theirs ten years after enrollment. For undergraduates outside research careers, the rank is the weaker guide.
Their academic identities diverge. Dartmouth College concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, while Washington University in St Louis leans toward Biology & Biomedical. 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 Washington University in St Louis's $21,786.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Washington University in St Louis's enrollment of 7,857 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 Washington St — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Washington St (27.0% Early Decision admit rate vs 21.6%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice. Test scores matter less at Washington St, where only about 61% 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.
Washington University in St Louis
St. Louis, MO · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 12%, Washington University in St. Louis attracts driven students looking for a rigorous academic environment. It’s a great fit for those interested in fields like engineering, biology, social sciences, computer science, and business. The graduation rate of 94% reflects a supportive community that helps students succeed and achieve their goals.
Life after graduation looks promising, with alumni reporting an average earnings of $86,182 ten years out. This figure highlights the potential for financial stability in a variety of career paths. While nearly 18% of students receive Pell Grants, the school’s commitment to affordability helps ensure that students from different economic backgrounds can thrive.
On the financial side, the net price after aid stands at $21,786, and the median debt for graduates is $17,500. This manageable debt load suggests that students here often leave school with a solid foundation for their financial futures. Those who tend to thrive are often self-motivated and eager to engage deeply with their studies and the campus community.
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 Washington St leads with Mechanical Engineering (14%).
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 Washington St).
The two schools feed different job markets. Dartmouth College is strongest in Computer Science & IT, while Washington University in St Louis concentrates in Business & Marketing. 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 Washington University in St Louis?
Dartmouth College is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 12% at Washington University in St Louis.
Which is more affordable, Dartmouth College or Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis is more affordable, with an average net price of $21,786 after aid versus $29,519 at Dartmouth College.
Do Dartmouth College or Washington University in St Louis graduates earn more?
Dartmouth College graduates earn more: median earnings of $97,434 ten years after enrollment, versus $86,182 at Washington University in St Louis.
Which has a better graduation rate, Dartmouth College or Washington University in St Louis?
Dartmouth College has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 94%.
Dartmouth College vs Washington University in St Louis: 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%.
Should you choose Dartmouth College or Washington University in St Louis?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Washington University in St Louis 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 Washington St 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.
