Head-to-Head Comparison
Dartmouth College vs Yale University
- Dartmouth Wins
- 13
- Tied
- 14
- Yale Wins
- 27
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Yale University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $23,777 vs Dartmouth College's $29,519, Yale University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Yale 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
No clear advantage detected in core metrics.
Yale
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $100,533 ten years after enrollment, 3% more than Dartmouth College
- Lower cost: Average net price of $23,777, roughly $5,742 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $12,975, 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 #10
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Dartmouth graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (24% of degrees); Yale in Social Sciences (23%). 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 Yale University over Dartmouth College. Median earnings of $100,533 ten years after enrollment vs $97,434.
Pick Yale University over Dartmouth College. Net price $23,777 vs $29,519.
Pick Yale University over Dartmouth College. THE World Rank #10 vs #99.
Pick Yale 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 Yale University are close on paper, but Yale University wins the head-to-head, leading on 6 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Yale University is the harder admit. It takes 4% of applicants, while Dartmouth College takes 5%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,534 to 1,534.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Yale 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, Yale University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $23,777, about $5,742 a year below Dartmouth College's $29,519. Graduates of Yale University also borrow less: median debt of $12,975, against $17,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $22,968 before any change in aid. Choosing Yale University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Yale University graduates report median earnings of $100,533, compared with $97,434 at Dartmouth College. That is a 3% advantage. Set against borrowing, Yale University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.13x to 0.18x.
So what: An earnings gap of 3% 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
Yale University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.1%; at Dartmouth College, it is 1.4%. Yale University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.6% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.8%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Yale 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, Yale University sits higher, at #10 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 Yale University to keep costs and debt down.
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
Their academic identities diverge. Dartmouth College concentrates enrollment in Engineering, while Yale University 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 Yale University's $23,777.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $17,500, against $12,975 at Yale University.
- Engineering-focused students: Dartmouth College has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Yale University's enrollment of 6,758 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 68% at Yale — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Dartmouth offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Yale 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.
Yale University
New Haven, CT · Private nonprofit
Yale University boasts an impressive graduation rate of 96%, indicating that most students who enroll successfully complete their degrees. This high level of achievement reflects the supportive academic environment and resources available to students.
According to Opportunity Insights data, Yale's graduates have a median earnings of $100,533 ten years after enrollment. While specific mobility rates are not available, the strong earnings potential suggests that graduates are likely to experience upward economic mobility, particularly when compared to peers from lower-income backgrounds.
The net price for attending Yale is $23,777, with a median debt of $12,975. This financial landscape allows students to invest in their education while keeping debt manageable. Students who thrive here tend to be those who are motivated and eager to engage deeply in their studies, particularly in top fields such as social sciences, biology, and engineering.
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 23% of Yale'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 Yale).
The two schools feed different job markets. Dartmouth College is strongest in Engineering, while Yale University concentrates in Mathematics & Statistics. 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 Yale University?
Yale University is harder to get into, admitting 4% of applicants compared with 5% at Dartmouth College.
Which is more affordable, Dartmouth College or Yale University?
Yale University is more affordable, with an average net price of $23,777 after aid versus $29,519 at Dartmouth College.
Do Dartmouth College or Yale University graduates earn more?
Yale University graduates earn more: median earnings of $100,533 ten years after enrollment, versus $97,434 at Dartmouth College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Dartmouth College or Yale University?
Yale University has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 96%.
Dartmouth College vs Yale University: which is better for social mobility?
Yale 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 Yale University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Yale University if affordability and lower debt come first. 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 Yale 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.
