College Comparison
Dartmouth College vs Northwestern University: Which is Better?
Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.
School
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH
School
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | Dartmouth | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 6.2%wins | 7.1% |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1500–1570wins | 1490–1560 |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 33–35 | 33–35 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $65,739wins | $65,997 |
| Avg Net Price | $28,619 | $27,143wins |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $97,434wins | $89,363 |
| Graduation Rate | 96.0%wins | 95.9% |
| Retention Rate | 97.8%wins | 97.4% |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 7:1 | 6:1wins |
| Total Enrollment | 4,367 | 8,960wins |
Verdict
Based on the data above, Dartmouth edges out Northwestern on 6 of 9 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.
Dartmouth Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 6.2%
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1500–1570
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $65,739
- ✓Median Earnings (10 yr): $97,434
Northwestern Strengths
- ✓Avg Net Price: $27,143
- ✓Student–Faculty Ratio: 6:1
- ✓Total Enrollment: 8,960
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