Dartmouth vs. Hamilton College

Comparable Facts

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

Dartmouth College is larger than Hamilton College based on total student enrollment (6,938 students vs. 2,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Dartmouth vs. Hamilton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dartmouth or Hamilton College? 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 Hamilton College ($20,322 vs. $28,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 12.4% lower than at Dartmouth College ($17,510 vs. $19,999).
• Hamilton College is 1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dartmouth (about $692 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $68,268.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at Hamilton College than at Dartmouth College (about $692 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $68,268.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hamilton College than at Dartmouth College (56% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dartmouth College students is 21.5% larger than aid received by Hamilton College students ($67,471 vs. $55,511).

Dartmouth vs. Hamilton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dartmouth or Hamilton College? 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 Hamilton College and Dartmouth.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dartmouth College (1540) is 40 points higher than at Hamilton College (1500).
• Incoming Dartmouth students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Hamilton College (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dartmouth College 1500/1570; Hamilton College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dartmouth College 33/35; Hamilton College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dartmouth - Required; Hamilton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dartmouth Jan 3, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Dartmouth students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Hamilton College (3.87).
• Hamilton College has a higher acceptance rate (13.6%) than Dartmouth (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.1% at Dartmouth vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

Dartmouth vs. Hamilton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dartmouth and Hamilton College? 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 Hamilton College's (89%).
• Graduates from Dartmouth College earn a median of about $25,000 more per year than Hamilton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($104,000 vs. $79,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dartmouth College graduates have a $2,299 lower median loan debt than Hamilton College graduates ($13,461 vs. $15,760).
• Among borrowers, Dartmouth graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hamilton College graduates ($139 vs. $162).
• More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dartmouth students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.