Head-to-head comparison
Dartmouth College vs. Yale University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Dartmouth or Yale harder to get into?
Yale is harder to get into than Dartmouth. Yale's 3.7% acceptance rate is lower than Dartmouth's 5.3%.
Which is cheaper, Dartmouth or Yale?
Yale costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Yale's average net price is $23,777 vs $29,519 at Dartmouth.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Yale graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $97,434 at Dartmouth and $100,533 at Yale.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Dartmouth | Yale |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 5.3% | 3.7% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1500–1580 | 1500–1580 |
| ACT mid-50% | 32–35 | 33–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $89,346 | $90,975 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $29,519 | $23,777 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 4,458 | 6,645 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 95.5% | 95.7% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $97,434 | $100,533 |
| Setting | Hanover, New Hampshire | New Haven, Connecticut |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Yale is modestly harder to get into. The 1.6-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
Yale is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $5,742 per year, $22,968 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Dartmouth is in Hanover, New Hampshire; Yale is in New Haven, Connecticut. 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. Yale is 51.5% women, 11.2% international, and 21.9% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Dartmouth | Yale |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 48.2% | 51.5% |
| International | 15.1% | 11.2% |
| White | 44.0% | 31.2% |
| Asian | 13.1% | 21.9% |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 16.6% |
| Black | 6.2% | 9.3% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Dartmouth vs. Yale?
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 Yale if
- Net price matters: Yale costs $5,742 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($100,533 vs $97,434)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the 14 residential colleges
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
Yale University
3.7% accept · New Haven, Connecticut
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.