Dartmouth vs. Colgate

Comparable Facts

Compare Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH with Colgate University in Hamilton, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dartmouth College is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (6,938 students vs. 3,211 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dartmouth College is located in Hanover, NH (Remote Town setting); Colgate University is in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting).
• Dartmouth College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dartmouth College 7:1; Colgate University 9:1.

Dartmouth vs. Colgate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dartmouth or Colgate? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dartmouth College than Colgate ($20,322 vs. $28,736).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 11.9% lower than at Dartmouth College ($17,610 vs. $19,999).
• Colgate University is 3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dartmouth (about $2,038 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $68,268.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at Colgate than at Dartmouth College (about $2,038 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $68,268.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dartmouth College than at Colgate University (47% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dartmouth College students is 15.7% larger than aid received by Colgate University students ($67,471 vs. $58,334).

Dartmouth vs. Colgate Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dartmouth or Colgate? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Colgate and Dartmouth.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Dartmouth College (1540) is 50 points higher than at Colgate (1490).
• Incoming Dartmouth students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Colgate).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Dartmouth College 1500/1570; Colgate University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Dartmouth College 33/35; Colgate University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dartmouth - Required; Colgate - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dartmouth Jan 3, 2027; Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Dartmouth students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Colgate (3.77).
• Colgate has a higher acceptance rate (13.9%) than Dartmouth (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.1% at Dartmouth vs. 28.7% at Colgate.

Dartmouth vs. Colgate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dartmouth and Colgate? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Dartmouth College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Colgate University's (92%).
• Graduates from Dartmouth College earn a median of about $28,700 more per year than Colgate graduates about ten years after starting college ($104,000 vs. $75,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dartmouth College graduates have a $2,664 lower median loan debt than Colgate graduates ($13,461 vs. $16,125).
• Among borrowers, Dartmouth graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colgate graduates ($139 vs. $166).
• More Dartmouth graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colgate students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 86%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.