Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Dartmouth College at a Glance
Dartmouth College is a private Ivy League research university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. Established in 1769 by Eleazar Wheelock to train Native American Christian missionaries, Dartmouth is one of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution.
1769
257 years old
$9.0B
$9 billion (2025)
6,746
4,447 undergrad · 2,299 grad
943
31,869 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Dartmouth College
Official admissions pageJanuary 3
November 1 (Early Decision, binding)
$80
Fee waiver available
2 required
Testing policy
Recommendation letters
Essays
Interview
Fee waiver
Is Dartmouth College Worth It?
Dartmouth College delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $29,519/year, it's priced 45% above average, while graduates go on to earn $97,434 — 81% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 96% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
The catch: admission is extremely selective at just 5%, making this an option only for top-tier applicants.
Median student debt of $17,500 is manageable at just 18% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
Bottom line: Dartmouth College delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Dartmouth College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #13 of 20 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Yale University | 100 | $23,777 | $100,533 |
| #2 | Bowdoin College | 100 | $14,398 | $82,735 |
| #3 | Colby College | 100 | $17,180 | $80,490 |
| #4 | Johns Hopkins University | 100 | $18,809 | $87,555 |
| #5 | Williams College | 100 | $17,716 | $88,665 |
| #6 | Princeton University | 100 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| #13 | Dartmouth College | 79 | $29,519 | $97,434 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Dartmouth College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Dartmouth College
The highest-earning program at Dartmouth College is Computer Science at $100,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $38,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from Dartmouth College earns $100,500, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $38,900. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $12,250 in median debt vs. $14,089 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $29,519/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $100,500 | $100,500 | $12,250 |
| Economics | $84,200 | $84,200 | $16,830 |
| Engineering Science | $74,900 | $74,900 | $14,647 |
| Engineering, General | $63,100 | $63,100 | $7,500 |
| Political Science and Government | $59,900 | $59,900 | $14,000 |
| Area Studies | $52,000 | $52,000 | N/A |
| History | $46,400 | $46,400 | $17,007 |
| Biology, General | $42,600 | $42,600 | $7,547 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $42,200 | $42,200 | $12,955 |
| Sociology | $41,800 | $41,800 | $15,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $40,900 | $40,900 | N/A |
| Psychology, General | $38,900 | $38,900 | $14,089 |
Similar Colleges in NH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Hanover, NH
- Student Body
- 4,541 students
- Admission Rate
- 5%
- Graduation Rate
- 96%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $29,519
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $97,434
- Median Student Debt
- $17,500