Northeastern vs. Dartmouth

Comparable Facts

Compare Northeastern University in Boston, MA with Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northeastern University is larger than Dartmouth based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 6,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northeastern University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Dartmouth College is in Hanover, NH (Remote Town setting).
• Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dartmouth College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern University 16:1; Dartmouth College 7:1.

Northeastern vs. Dartmouth Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern or Dartmouth? 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 Northeastern ($20,322 vs. $34,207).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern University are 2.1% lower than at Dartmouth College ($19,580 vs. $19,999).
• Dartmouth College is 3.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northeastern (about $2,106 more per year; $68,268.00 vs. $66,162.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.2% higher at Dartmouth than at Northeastern University (about $2,106 more per year; $68,268.00 vs. $66,162.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University than at Dartmouth College (66% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dartmouth College students is 33.8% larger than aid received by Northeastern University students ($67,471 vs. $50,421).

Northeastern vs. Dartmouth Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dartmouth College (1540) is 50 points higher than at Northeastern (1490).
• Incoming Northeastern students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Dartmouth (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern University 1440/1540; Dartmouth College 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern University 33/35; Dartmouth College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northeastern - Test optional; Dartmouth - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Jan 1, 2027; Dartmouth Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northeastern students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Dartmouth (3.9).
• Dartmouth has a higher acceptance rate (5.4%) than Northeastern (5.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Northeastern vs. 69.1% at Dartmouth.

Northeastern vs. Dartmouth Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northeastern and Dartmouth? 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 Northeastern University's (77%).
• Graduates from Dartmouth College earn a median of about $34,500 more per year than Northeastern graduates about ten years after starting college ($104,000 vs. $69,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dartmouth College graduates have a $14,414 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($13,461 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, Dartmouth graduates have an estimated $149 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($139 vs. $288).
• More Dartmouth graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 79%)

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.