Dartmouth vs. Vanderbilt

Comparable Facts

Compare Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH with Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Vanderbilt University is larger than Dartmouth based on total student enrollment (13,575 students vs. 6,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dartmouth College is located in Hanover, NH (Remote Town setting); Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Dartmouth College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanderbilt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dartmouth College 7:1; Vanderbilt University 8:1.

Dartmouth vs. Vanderbilt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dartmouth or Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt ($20,322 vs. $25,186).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dartmouth College are 9.3% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($19,999 vs. $22,054).
• Dartmouth College is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Vanderbilt (about $770 more per year; $68,268.00 vs. $67,498.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at Dartmouth than at Vanderbilt University (about $770 more per year; $68,268.00 vs. $67,498.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanderbilt University than at Dartmouth College (67% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dartmouth College students is 4.8% larger than aid received by Vanderbilt University students ($67,471 vs. $64,404).

Dartmouth vs. Vanderbilt Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dartmouth College (1540) is the same as at Vanderbilt (1540).
• Incoming Dartmouth students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Vanderbilt (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dartmouth College 1500/1570; Vanderbilt University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dartmouth College 33/35; Vanderbilt University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dartmouth - Required; Vanderbilt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dartmouth Jan 3, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Dartmouth students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Vanderbilt (3.89).
• Vanderbilt has a higher acceptance rate (5.9%) than Dartmouth (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.1% at Dartmouth vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

Dartmouth vs. Vanderbilt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dartmouth and Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt University's (92%).
• Graduates from Dartmouth College earn a median of about $20,900 more per year than Vanderbilt graduates about ten years after starting college ($104,000 vs. $83,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dartmouth College graduates have a $539 lower median loan debt than Vanderbilt graduates ($13,461 vs. $14,000).
• Among borrowers, Dartmouth graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanderbilt graduates ($139 vs. $144).
• More Dartmouth graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanderbilt students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 83%)

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.