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College comparison
Dartmouth vs Vanderbilt
A side-by-side of acceptance rate, test scores, and cost — source-cited estimates, not guarantees. Want the number that actually matters for your student? Model your admit odds at each.
| Metric |  Dartmouth Hanover, NH |  Vanderbilt Nashville, TN |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rateDartmouth College is more selective | 5% | 6% |
| SAT (25–75) | 1500–1570 | 1500–1570 |
| ACT (25–75) | — | — |
| Undergrad enrollment | 4,541 | 7,208 |
| Avg net price | $29,519 | $15,846 |
| Median earnings (10 yr)Dartmouth reports higher median earnings | $97,434 | $91,565 |
| Graduation rate | 96% | 94% |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $14,000 |
| Economic mobility | 1.4% | 1.5% |
| Test policy | — | — |
| Type | Private (nonprofit) | Private (nonprofit) |
Dartmouth vs Vanderbilt: how they compare
For an affluent, data-driven family, the choice between Dartmouth and Vanderbilt hinges on prioritizing either undergraduate focus and network or financial value and urban energy.
By the numbers AdmitQuant's verified data shows a clear quantitative trade-off. Vanderbilt presents a stronger financial proposition with a significantly lower average net price ($16k vs. $30k) and a higher value multiplier (5.8x vs. 3.3x earnings per dollar of net price). It also shows a slightly higher economic-mobility rate (147% vs. 138%) and greater admit-rate volatility (91% vs. 56%). Dartmouth counters with marginally higher 10-year median earnings ($97k vs. $92k), a perfect DOE financial-health score (3.0/3), a higher future-scholar yield (7.3), and slightly better graduation rates (96% vs. 94%). Their selectivity is nearly identical, with Dartmouth at a 5% acceptance rate and Vanderbilt at 6%, and matching SAT 25-75 percentiles (1500–1570).
Where they overlap Both are elite, highly selective institutions with strong outcomes. They share a commitment to student life, with communities centered around engagement, and both offer access to outdoor activities, though in different contexts.
How they differ The core divergence is environment and culture. Dartmouth is an immersive undergraduate college in a remote college town, fostering a tight-knit community where campus life is central. Vanderbilt offers an elite academic experience within a major city, blending rigorous studies with a dynamic urban social scene and student life options beyond campus.
Who each suits Dartmouth suits the student who thrives in a self-contained, collaborative community, values undergraduate focus and professor access, and desires a traditional, outdoorsy Ivy League experience. is ideal for the high-achieving student who wants elite academics without sacrificing the cultural breadth of a city, seeks strong financial value, and prefers a campus culture that integrates urban energy.
Quick answers
- Is Dartmouth College or Vanderbilt University harder to get into?
- Dartmouth College is more selective: Dartmouth College's acceptance rate is approximately 5% and Vanderbilt University's is approximately 6% (estimates from public and primary sources).
- What SAT score do you need for Dartmouth College vs Vanderbilt University?
- The middle-50% SAT range is 1500–1570 at Dartmouth College and 1500–1570 at Vanderbilt University. Scores outside these bands are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
Figures are estimates compiled from public datasets (College Scorecard / IPEDS) and primary sources; verify with each institution before relying on them.
These outputs are estimates from a baseline model — not guarantees of admission, cost, or outcome.