Head-to-head comparison
Dartmouth College vs. Princeton University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Dartmouth or Princeton harder to get into?
Princeton is harder to get into than Dartmouth. Princeton's 4.5% acceptance rate is lower than Dartmouth's 5.3%.
Which is cheaper, Dartmouth or Princeton?
Princeton costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Princeton's average net price is $6,128 vs $29,519 at Dartmouth.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Princeton graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $97,434 at Dartmouth and $110,066 at Princeton.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Dartmouth | Princeton |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 5.3% | 4.5% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1500–1580 | 1500–1580 |
| ACT mid-50% | 32–35 | 34–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $89,346 | $83,140 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $29,519 | $6,128 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 4,458 | 5,590 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 95.5% | 97.6% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $97,434 | $110,066 |
| Setting | Hanover, New Hampshire | Princeton, New Jersey |
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. Dartmouth's 5.3% acceptance rate and Princeton's 4.5% are within a percentage point of each other. For an unhooked applicant, the difference is statistical noise. Apply to whichever you genuinely prefer.
Princeton is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $23,391 per year, $93,564 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Princeton graduates earn $12,632 more on average at the 10-year mark. This usually reflects major distribution more than school quality — schools that concentrate in CS, engineering, and finance pull higher medians than schools with more humanities and social science graduates. Dartmouth grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Dartmouth is in Hanover, New Hampshire; Princeton is in Princeton, New Jersey. 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. Dartmouth is 48.2% women, 15.1% international, and 13.1% Asian-American. Princeton is 50.4% women, 12.6% international, and 23.4% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Dartmouth | Princeton |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 48.2% | 50.4% |
| International | 15.1% | 12.6% |
| White | 44.0% | 33.7% |
| Asian | 13.1% | 23.4% |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 10.1% |
| Black | 6.2% | 8.7% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Dartmouth vs. Princeton?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Dartmouth if
- Your odds are realistic at Dartmouth (slightly easier admit)
- the D-Plan quarter system
Pick Princeton if
- Net price matters: Princeton costs $23,391 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($110,066 vs $97,434)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- its senior thesis requirement
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
Dartmouth College
5.3% accept · Hanover, New Hampshire
Full profile
Princeton University
4.5% accept · Princeton, New Jersey
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.