About

About Dartmouth College

ivy leaguesmall class sizesstrong research focus

Dartmouth College is a private research university in Hanover, NH, known for its ivy league, small class sizes, and strong research focus. With an acceptance rate of 6%, Dartmouth is one of the most selective colleges in the United States, typically enrolling around 1,124 students each year. Dartmouth is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 1500–1580, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. Dartmouth meets 100% of demonstrated financial need and has replaced loans with grants; for families earning under $125,000, the net cost is often $0.

Admissions

Dartmouth College acceptance rate and admitted student profile

one of the most selective colleges in the United States

6%
Overall Accept Rate
1540
Median Admitted SAT
SATSubmitted score range: 1500 – 1580 (test optional)

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ED advantage at Dartmouth College: ED acceptance rate is 19% vs 6% regular decision, more than double. If Dartmouth Collegeis your first choice and you've confirmed the financial fit, Early Decision is one of the highest-leverage decisions you can make.

Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to Dartmouth College

The first 2 tips apply to all applicants. Your personalized strategy requires your profile — build your free list to unlock it.

Essay Strategy
Dartmouth's supplemental essays ask you to engage directly with its community, so research specific professors, courses, or traditions like the D-Plan and name them explicitly in your 'why Dartmouth' writing. Admissions officers can tell immediately when a student has done real homework versus swapped in the school name.
Test Score Strategy
Since Dartmouth is test optional and your score falls below their 75th percentile, you are better off not submitting it and letting your grades, essays, and activities carry the application.

Get a tailored strategy for Dartmouth College. Build your free list to unlock personalized advice on submitting test scores and discover your actual admission odds based on your student profile.

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Financial Aid & Cost

What Dartmouth College actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Loan-free financial aid: Dartmouth College has replaced all loans with grants. For families earning under $125,000, the average net annual cost is $0. Dartmouth College's sticker price of ~$81k/year bears almost no resemblance to what most families pay.
Family IncomeSticker PriceEst. Net Cost / yr
0-30kOften $0~$81k/yr~$0 / yr
30k-48kOften $0~$81k/yr~$0 / yr
48k-75kOften $0~$81k/yr~$0 / yr
75k-110k~$81k/yr$8.5k
110k+~$81k/yr$52.0k

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

96%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$83k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
7:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
4,883
Undergrad Enrollment
Dartmouth College Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch