Head-to-head comparison
Brown University vs. Dartmouth College
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Brown or Dartmouth harder to get into?
Dartmouth is harder to get into than Brown. Dartmouth's 5.3% acceptance rate is lower than Brown's 5.4%.
Which is cheaper, Brown or Dartmouth?
Brown costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Brown's average net price is $25,184 vs $29,519 at Dartmouth.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Dartmouth graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $93,487 at Brown and $97,434 at Dartmouth.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Brown | Dartmouth |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 5.4% | 5.3% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1500–1570 | 1500–1580 |
| ACT mid-50% | 34–35 | 32–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $90,160 | $89,346 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $25,184 | $29,519 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 7,639 | 4,458 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 95.7% | 95.5% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $93,487 | $97,434 |
| Setting | Providence, Rhode Island | Hanover, New Hampshire |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Selectivity is essentially the same. Brown's 5.4% acceptance rate and Dartmouth's 5.3% are within a percentage point of each other. For an unhooked applicant, the difference is statistical noise. Apply to whichever you genuinely prefer.
Brown is substantially larger with 7,639 undergrads vs 4,458 at Dartmouth. Bigger universities have more major options and broader research opportunities; smaller ones offer more access to faculty and tighter-knit communities.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Brown is in Providence, Rhode Island; Dartmouth is in Hanover, New Hampshire. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Brown is 50.0% women, 12.7% international, and 22.9% Asian-American. Dartmouth is 48.2% women, 15.1% international, and 13.1% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Brown | Dartmouth |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 50.0% | 48.2% |
| International | 12.7% | 15.1% |
| White | 32.9% | 44.0% |
| Asian | 22.9% | 13.1% |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 9.9% |
| Black | 8.2% | 6.2% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Brown vs. Dartmouth?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Brown if
- Your odds are realistic at Brown (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Brown costs $4,335 less per year on average
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the Open Curriculum
Pick Dartmouth if
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($97,434 vs $93,487)
- the D-Plan quarter system
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Brown University
5.4% accept · Providence, Rhode Island
Full profile
Dartmouth College
5.3% accept · Hanover, New Hampshire
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.