Yale University vs Dartmouth College

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In this article, we will be comparing two prestigious Ivy League institutions: Yale University and Dartmouth College. Both schools are known for their high academic standards, diverse student populations, and accomplished alumni. We will explore various aspects of each school, including costs, admissions, academics, and outcomes, to help prospective students make an informed decision about which school is the right fit for them.

CollegeRanker is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Yale University Overview

Yale is a private research university in New Haven, Connecticut, and is a member of the prestigious Ivy League. Founded in 1701, Yale is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States. It is known for its strong liberal arts curriculum, world-class faculty, and diverse student body.

Yale Costs & Tuition

For the 2021-2022 academic year, Yale’s tuition is $59,950, with additional costs for room, board, and fees bringing the total cost of attendance to approximately $79,000 per year. Yale is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, and approximately 64% of Yale students receive some form of financial aid.

Yale Admissions

Yale is a highly selective university, with an acceptance rate of 6.5% for the class of 2025. Admissions officers consider factors such as academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities when evaluating applicants. Yale accepts both the Common Application and Coalition Application, and also requires applicants to submit supplemental essays specific to the university.

Yale Degrees Offered

Yale offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees across a wide range of disciplines. Students can choose from over 80 majors, including popular programs in political science, economics, psychology, and biology. Yale also has highly ranked graduate and professional schools, including Yale Law School, Yale School of Medicine, and Yale School of Management.

Yale Academics

Yale is known for its rigorous academics and strong focus on undergraduate education. The student-to-faculty ratio is 6:1, allowing for small class sizes and personalized attention from faculty. Yale’s residential college system also fosters a close-knit community and supports students’ academic and personal growth.

Yale Diversity

Yale prides itself on its diverse student body, with students from all 50 states and over 120 countries. 51% of Yale students identify as persons of color, and 20% are international students. Additionally, Yale offers extensive resources for first-generation and low-income students through the First-Year Scholars at Yale (FSY) program.

Yale Students

Yale’s undergraduate student body consists of approximately 6,000 students, while its graduate and professional schools enroll around 7,500 students. Students at Yale are known for their intellectual curiosity, commitment to social change, and involvement in a wide range of extracurricular activities, including clubs, sports, and community service.

Yale Campus

Yale’s picturesque campus is located in the heart of New Haven, Connecticut, and is known for its Gothic architecture, beautiful courtyards, and world-class museums and libraries. The campus spans 837 acres and includes 14 residential colleges, each with its own unique character and traditions.

Yale Alumni

Yale’s alumni network is extensive and includes notable figures such as former U.S. Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman, and actress Meryl Streep.

Yale Rankings

Yale is consistently ranked among the top universities in the world. U.S. News and World Report ranks Yale as the 4th best national university in the United States, while QS World University Rankings places Yale 17th globally.

Yale Outcomes

Yale graduates enjoy strong outcomes, with a 96% graduation rate and a median starting salary of $70,000. Many Yale graduates go on to pursue careers in fields such as finance, consulting, technology, and public service, or continue their education at top graduate and professional schools.

Dartmouth College Overview

Dartmouth College is a private research university in Hanover, New Hampshire, and is also a member of the esteemed Ivy League. Founded in 1769, Dartmouth is the ninth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States. Known for its strong liberal arts curriculum, close-knit community, and emphasis on undergraduate education, Dartmouth is a popular choice for students seeking a well-rounded college experience.

Dartmouth Costs & Tuition

For the 2021-2022 academic year, Dartmouth’s tuition is $59,458, with additional costs for room, board, and fees totaling approximately $78,000 per year. Dartmouth is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, and approximately 50% of Dartmouth students receive some form of financial aid.

Dartmouth Admissions

Dartmouth is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 8.8% for the class of 2025. Admissions officers consider factors such as academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities when evaluating applicants. Dartmouth accepts both the Common Application and Coalition Application, and also requires applicants to submit supplemental essays specific to the college.

Dartmouth Degrees Offered

Dartmouth offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees in a variety of disciplines. Students can choose from over 60 majors, including popular programs in economics, government, engineering, and computer science. Dartmouth also has highly regarded graduate and professional schools, including the Tuck School of Business, Geisel School of Medicine, and Thayer School of Engineering.

Dartmouth Academics

Dartmouth is known for its strong focus on undergraduate education, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 7:1 and an average class size of 20 students. Dartmouth operates on a unique quarter system called the “D-Plan,” which allows students to customize their academic schedules and take advantage of extensive study abroad and internship opportunities.

Dartmouth Diversity

Dartmouth is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus community, with students from all 50 states and over 60 countries. 46% of Dartmouth students identify as persons of color, and 11% are international students. Dartmouth offers support and resources for first-generation and low-income students through the First-Year Student Enrichment Program (FYSEP).

Dartmouth Students

Dartmouth’s undergraduate student body consists of approximately 4,500 students, while its graduate and professional schools enroll around 2,000 students. Dartmouth students are known for their strong sense of community, passion for the outdoors, and involvement in a wide range of extracurricular activities, including clubs, sports, and community service.

Dartmouth Campus

Dartmouth’s scenic campus is located in the picturesque town of Hanover, New Hampshire, and is known for its beautiful natural surroundings, charming New England architecture, and extensive outdoor recreational opportunities. The campus spans 269 acres and includes six libraries, numerous research centers, and state-of-the-art athletic facilities.

Dartmouth Alumni

Dartmouth’s alumni network includes notable figures such as former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Louise Erdrich, and television producer Shonda Rhimes.

Dartmouth Rankings

Dartmouth is consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the world. U.S. News and World Report ranks Dartmouth as the 13th best national university in the United States, while QS World University Rankings places Dartmouth 207th globally.

Dartmouth Outcomes

Dartmouth graduates enjoy strong outcomes, with a 95% graduation rate and a median starting salary of $70,000. Many Dartmouth graduates go on to pursue careers in fields such as finance, consulting, technology, and public service, or continue their education at top graduate and professional schools.

Yale University vs Dartmouth College Cost Comparison

When comparing the costs of attending Yale and Dartmouth, both schools have similar tuition rates. For the 2021-2022 academic year, Yale’s tuition is $59,950, while Dartmouth’s tuition is $59,458. However, the total cost of attendance, including room, board, and fees, is slightly higher at Yale, at approximately $79,000 per year compared to Dartmouth’s $78,000 per year. Both schools are committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, and a significant portion of students at each school receive some form of financial aid.

Yale University vs Dartmouth College Admissions Difficulty

Both Yale and Dartmouth are highly selective Ivy League institutions, with low acceptance rates and competitive applicant pools. Yale has a slightly lower acceptance rate of 6.5% for the class of 2025, compared to Dartmouth’s 8.8% acceptance rate. Both schools consider factors such as academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities when evaluating applicants. In terms of standardized test scores, Yale has a slightly higher average SAT score of 1510, compared to Dartmouth’s 1500. However, it’s important to remember that both schools practice holistic admissions and consider a wide range of factors beyond test scores and GPA.

Yale University vs Dartmouth College Academic Difficulty

Both Yale and Dartmouth are known for their rigorous academics and strong focus on undergraduate education. The student-to-faculty ratio is similar at both schools, with Yale’s ratio being 6:1 and Dartmouth’s 7:1. This allows for small class sizes and personalized attention from faculty at both institutions. While both schools offer a wide range of academic programs, Yale is generally considered to have stronger graduate and professional schools, particularly in law, medicine, and management. Dartmouth’s unique quarter system, the “D-Plan,” may appeal to students who value flexibility and the opportunity to participate in study abroad programs and internships.

Yale University vs Dartmouth College Outcome Comparison

Yale and Dartmouth graduates both enjoy strong outcomes, with high graduation rates and median starting salaries of $70,000 for both schools. However, Yale is generally ranked higher in national and global university rankings, and its alumni network may be more extensive due to its larger graduate and professional schools. Students at both schools go on to pursue careers in a variety of fields, including finance, consulting, technology, and public service, or continue their education at top graduate and professional schools.

In conclusion, both Yale University and Dartmouth College offer exceptional educational experiences and strong post-graduation outcomes for their students. Prospective students should consider factors such as cost, admissions difficulty, academic programs, and campus environment when deciding which school is the right fit for them. Ultimately, the choice between Yale and Dartmouth will depend on individual preferences and priorities.