Dartmouth vs. Cornell

Comparable Facts

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

Cornell University is larger than Dartmouth based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 6,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Dartmouth vs. Cornell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dartmouth or Cornell? 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 Cornell ($20,322 vs. $26,361).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell University are 2.9% lower than at Dartmouth College ($19,428 vs. $19,999).
• Cornell University is 1.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dartmouth (about $1,046 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $68,268.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at Cornell than at Dartmouth College (about $1,046 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $68,268.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cornell University than at Dartmouth College (48% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dartmouth College students is 9.2% larger than aid received by Cornell University students ($67,471 vs. $61,779).

Dartmouth vs. Cornell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dartmouth or Cornell? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Cornell and Dartmouth.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dartmouth College (1540) is the same as at Cornell (1540).
• Incoming Dartmouth students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Cornell (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dartmouth College 1500/1570; Cornell University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dartmouth College 33/35; Cornell University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dartmouth - Required; Cornell - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dartmouth Jan 3, 2027; Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Dartmouth students have the same average high school GPA (3.9) as students at Cornell (3.9).
• Cornell has a higher acceptance rate (8.8%) than Dartmouth (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.1% at Dartmouth vs. 63.9% at Cornell.

Dartmouth vs. Cornell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dartmouth and Cornell? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Dartmouth College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Cornell University's (93%).
• Graduates from Dartmouth College earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than Cornell graduates about ten years after starting college ($104,000 vs. $98,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $1,461 lower median loan debt than Dartmouth graduates ($12,000 vs. $13,461).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dartmouth graduates ($124 vs. $139).
• More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dartmouth students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 87%)

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.