Choosing a college is not an easy task as it is one of the most significant decisions that can impact your future. Dartmouth and Harvard University are two prestigious institutions that offer a myriad of academic and extracurricular opportunities. This article will provide an in-depth comparison of these two schools to help you make an informed decision.
Dartmouth Overview
Dartmouth College, located in Hanover, New Hampshire, is a private Ivy League institution founded in 1769. It is renowned for its strong emphasis on undergraduate education, small class sizes, and close-knit community. The campus spans over 269 acres, providing a picturesque setting for students to learn and engage in various activities.
Dartmouth Costs & Tuition
Tuition at Dartmouth for the 2021-2022 academic year is $59,458, with total costs (including room, board, and fees) being approximately $78,602. However, the college is committed to making education accessible to students from all financial backgrounds. Dartmouth offers need-blind admissions and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for both domestic and international students.
Dartmouth Admissions
Admission to Dartmouth is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of 8.8% for the Class of 2025. The college receives applications from students across the globe, making for a diverse and talented applicant pool. Applicants are evaluated based on their academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, personal qualities, and potential for growth.
Dartmouth Degrees Offered
Dartmouth offers over 60 majors and minors, with popular areas of study including economics, computer science, engineering, and government. The college is known for its flexible liberal arts curriculum, which allows students to explore their interests and tailor their academic experience.
Dartmouth Academics
With a student-faculty ratio of 7:1 and an average class size of 20, Dartmouth emphasizes individualized learning and close interaction between students and professors. The college offers a wide range of research opportunities, study abroad programs, and experiential learning options, enabling students to expand their horizons and gain global perspectives.
Dartmouth Diversity
Dartmouth is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community, with more than half of the undergraduate population identifying as students of color. Additionally, the college supports various affinity programs, cultural centers, and initiatives aimed at promoting equity and inclusion on campus.
Dartmouth Students
Dartmouth has a total undergraduate enrollment of over 4,500 students, coming from all 50 states and over 70 countries. The college offers a vibrant social scene, with over 350 student-led organizations, 35 varsity sports teams, and numerous social and cultural events throughout the year.
Dartmouth Campus
Dartmouth’s picturesque campus is located in the charming town of Hanover, New Hampshire, offering a quintessential New England college experience. The campus has state-of-the-art academic and residential facilities, an extensive library system, and a wide range of recreational options, including hiking trails, skiing and snowboarding, and access to the Connecticut River.
Dartmouth Alumni
Dartmouth boasts a strong alumni network, with over 78,000 alumni worldwide. Notable alumni include former U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, television producer Shonda Rhimes, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Louise Erdrich.
Dartmouth Rankings
Dartmouth is consistently ranked among the top colleges in the United States. U.S. News & World Report ranks Dartmouth as the 13th-best National University and the 2nd-best college for undergraduate teaching in the country.
Dartmouth Outcomes
Dartmouth graduates enjoy successful careers across various industries, with the most common fields being finance, consulting, technology, and healthcare. According to PayScale, the average early career salary for Dartmouth graduates is $70,900, and the average mid-career salary is $134,200.
Harvard University Overview
Harvard University, founded in 1636, is a prestigious Ivy League institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. As the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, Harvard is renowned for its rigorous academic programs, extensive resources, and distinguished faculty.
Harvard Costs & Tuition
For the 2021-2022 academic year, tuition at Harvard is $54,002, with total costs (including room, board, and fees) being approximately $74,528. Harvard is committed to making education accessible to students from all financial backgrounds, offering need-blind admissions and comprehensive financial aid packages that meet 100% of demonstrated financial need.
Harvard Admissions
Admission to Harvard is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of 4.6% for the Class of 2025. The university receives applications from students across the globe, making for a diverse and talented applicant pool. Applicants are evaluated based on their academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, personal qualities, and potential for growth.
Harvard Degrees Offered
Harvard offers over 49 fields of concentration and numerous secondary fields, with popular areas of study including economics, government, computer science, and biology. The university is known for its flexible liberal arts curriculum, which allows students to explore their interests and tailor their academic experience.
Harvard Academics
Harvard has a student-faculty ratio of 7:1 and an average class size of 12, ensuring that students have ample opportunities for individualized learning and close interaction with professors. The university offers a wide range of research opportunities, study abroad programs, and experiential learning options, enabling students to expand their horizons and gain global perspectives.
Harvard Diversity
Harvard is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community, with more than 50% of the undergraduate population identifying as students of color. Additionally, the university supports various affinity programs, cultural centers, and initiatives aimed at promoting equity and inclusion on campus.
Harvard Students
Harvard has a total undergraduate enrollment of over 6,700 students, coming from all 50 states and over 90 countries. The university offers a vibrant social scene, with over 450 student-led organizations, 42 varsity sports teams, and numerous social and cultural events throughout the year.
Harvard Campus
Harvard’s historic campus is located in the vibrant city of Cambridge, offering a diverse and intellectually stimulating environment. The campus has state-of-the-art academic and residential facilities, an extensive library system, and a wide range of recreational options, including the Charles River and Harvard Square.
Harvard Alumni
Harvard boasts a strong alumni network, with over 371,000 alumni worldwide. Notable alumni include former U.S. President Barack Obama, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg.
Harvard Rankings
Harvard is consistently ranked among the top universities in the world. U.S. News & World Report ranks Harvard as the 2nd-best National University, and QS World University Rankings places Harvard as the 3rd-best university globally.
Harvard Outcomes
Harvard graduates enjoy successful careers across various industries, with the most common fields being finance, consulting, technology, and healthcare. According to PayScale, the average early career salary for Harvard graduates is $74,800, and the average mid-career salary is $146,800.
Dartmouth vs Harvard Cost Comparison
Both Dartmouth and Harvard are committed to making education accessible to students from all financial backgrounds, offering need-blind admissions and meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need. Tuition and total costs for the 2021-2022 academic year are similar, with Dartmouth’s total costs being approximately $78,602 and Harvard’s total costs being approximately $74,528. However, individual financial aid packages and scholarships may vary, so it is essential to consider your specific financial circumstances when comparing costs.
Dartmouth vs Harvard Admissions Difficulty
Admission to both Dartmouth and Harvard is highly competitive, with both schools receiving applications from talented students across the globe. The acceptance rate for Dartmouth’s Class of 2025 is 8.8%, while Harvard’s acceptance rate for the same class is 4.6%. While both schools have rigorous admissions processes and high standards, Harvard’s lower acceptance rate indicates a slightly higher level of difficulty in gaining admission.
Dartmouth vs Harvard Academic Difficulty
Both Dartmouth and Harvard are known for their rigorous academic programs and high standards of excellence. Both schools have a student-faculty ratio of 7:1, ensuring that students have ample opportunities for individualized learning and close interaction with professors. While both schools are challenging academically, the specific level of difficulty may depend on your chosen field of study and personal preferences for class size and academic environment.
Dartmouth vs Harvard Outcome Comparison
Graduates of both Dartmouth and Harvard enjoy successful careers across various industries, with the most common fields being finance, consulting, technology, and healthcare. According to PayScale, the average early career salary for Dartmouth graduates is $70,900, and the average mid-career salary is $134,200. For Harvard graduates, the average early career salary is $74,800, and the average mid-career salary is $146,800. While both schools have strong alumni networks and excellent post-graduation outcomes, Harvard graduates report slightly higher average salaries across their careers.
