Stanford vs Dartmouth
Stanford University and Dartmouth College, two prestigious institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Stanford, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, is known for its strong ties to the tech industry and its focus on entrepreneurship and innovation. Dartmouth, nestled in the picturesque town of Hanover, New Hampshire, emphasizes a liberal arts education and boasts a close-knit community. With Stanford's acceptance rate hovering around 4% and Dartmouth's at 8%, both universities are highly selective. While Stanford's student body is more diverse, Dartmouth has a slightly higher graduation rate. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further differences, including popular majors, student demographics, and financial aid options, to determine which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Dartmouth College |
![]() Stanford University |
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Overview |
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Location | Hanover, New Hampshire | Stanford, California |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Quarter | Quarter |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 98.0% | 98.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 6.2% | 3.9% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$80
Graduate:
$50
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Undergraduate:
$90
Graduate:
$125
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SAT range | 1440 - 1560 | 1470 - 1570 |
ACT range | 33 - 35 | 34 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 47.0% | 15.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 30.0% | 11.0% |
Total number of applicants | 28,356 | 55,471 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,750 | 2,190 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,221 | 1,757 |
Yield rate | 69.8% | 80.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $81,501 | $78,898 |
Average net price | $24,078 | $14,402 |
Tuition | $58,953 | $55,473 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$10,569
Meal plan:
$6,792
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Room/dormitory:
$11,166
Meal plan:
$6,694
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
48.0%
Average amount $56,106 |
61.0%
Average amount $56,211 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
20.0%
Average amount $5,066 |
5.0%
Average amount $5,151 |
Students taking out private loans |
37.0%
Average amount $5,335 |
1.0%
Average amount $17,186 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
4,556
Men 50.7% Women 49.3% |
7,645
Men 49.4% Women 50.6% |
Graduate students |
2,205
Men 50.4% Women 49.6% |
10,035
Men 56.5% Women 43.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 97.3% | 58.5% |
International students | 17.0% | 24.4% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 3,733 | 14,621 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | Yes |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California New York Mississippi New Jersey Texas | California Texas Washington New York Illinois |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 7:1 | 5:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 93.6% | 95.5% |
Dropout rate | 4.9% | 1.7% |
Transferred out | N/A | 0.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Health (First Professional Degrees)
Engineering Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
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Law (First Professional Degrees)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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