This article does exactly that: it walks you through what the United States government reports about Dartmouth College, one data point at a time, translated into what it means for a real family.
What Kind of School It Is and Where It Stands
Dartmouth belongs to the group of universities that the Carnegie Classification considers to have the highest level of research activity among doctoral institutions. It is a four-year, medium-sized, highly residential school: at the time of that classification, at least half of its undergraduate students lived in institution-owned or institution-affiliated housing, and at least 80 out of every 100 attended full time. In its undergraduate profile, Carnegie places it among the most selective schools in the country.
That label tells you something real: here, living on campus is not the exception; it is the norm. But it does not tell you how many out of every hundred applicants get in—we will look at that later—or whether it makes sense for your child to move far from home. You decide that, not Carnegie.
And speaking of moving: Dartmouth is in Hanover, New Hampshire, in Grafton County. The area surrounding the campus is a remote town, not a large urban area. If your family does not live nearby, this means separately figuring out where your child would live, how they would get there, and how far away everything else is—from an airport to a pharmacy. The data point locates the school; it does not locate your family.
Institutionally, it is private, nonprofit, and reports the doctorate as the highest level it offers. It is an institution that primarily awards bachelor’s degrees or higher credentials, with graduate offerings as well. But that institutional fact does not tell you whether the specific major your child wants is available there or whether the transition from undergraduate to graduate study works well. That must be verified program by program, in writing.
One point worth clarifying right away: Dartmouth is not listed as a historically Black college or university, a tribal college or university, or a land-grant institution. Of the 3,012 colleges and universities in this directory, 138 have at least one of those three designations; Dartmouth has none. That does not tell you which students it serves or how your child would feel on that campus. Those questions should be asked directly: which cultural centers exist today, which student organizations are active, and—if possible—whether you can speak with someone who is already there.
Who Else Is on That Campus
Among the undergraduate students Dartmouth reported in fall 2023, 9 out of every 100 are Hispanic or Latino. It is a small minority, and compared with the 941 selective private four-year schools in this census, Dartmouth ranks below the group’s midpoint. Having few Latino students does not make the school bad, just as having many would not make it good. The number only tells you who is enrolled. If your child will be one of the few, the question that matters is what support and community they will find there, and that answer comes from talking with people, not reading a report.
Other features of that community: there are almost no students ages 25 to 64—just 1 out of every 100; undergraduate enrollment is nearly even between men and women, with women accounting for 49 out of every 100; and fewer than 25 out of every 100 first-time students were permanent residents of New Hampshire—in fact, the figure was only 2 out of every 100. The vast majority come from outside the state or the country.
In the official fall count, Dartmouth had 6,746 enrolled students: neither among the smallest nor among the largest, but in the 5,000-to-9,999 range. That total, however, is divided between 4,447 undergraduates and 2,299 graduate students. If your child is entering a bachelor’s degree program, the number that matters to them is 4,447, not the total—the total is increased by graduate enrollment.
How the Academic Year Works and How Broad the Offerings Are
Dartmouth operates on a quarter system: the year is divided into three terms of about 12 weeks each, with the possibility of a fourth term in the summer. This matters because it changes the pace of everything—exams, assignments, breaks—compared with the traditional semester system many other schools use.
In its most recent report, the school did not indicate that it grants credit for life experience or AP exams in the section on special credit at admission. It did report that it enrolls high school students in college courses for credit through a formal dual-enrollment program. If your child ever considers transferring between this institution and another, verify both schools’ calendars and transfer policies in writing—the quarter system does not always align neatly with a semester system.
As for degrees: in one year, Dartmouth awarded 1,211 bachelor’s degrees across 16 fields of study. Social sciences awarded the most, accounting for 29 out of every 100 degrees—no other field surpassed it, but it did not account for the majority either. Compared with 942 similar schools, Dartmouth ranks in the top quarter for the number of degrees awarded annually. A large number of degrees says nothing about what your child will experience within a specific program; it counts credentials, not people.
And here is a figure that often makes an impression: 7 full-time-equivalent students per full-time-equivalent faculty member. It is among the lowest ratios reported in this census, in the bottom quarter among 941 similar schools. That sounds good, and it probably is. But a low ratio does not guarantee small classes or individual attention—it is an institutional average, not a seat counted in a classroom. Ask directly how many students are in first-year classes.
Dartmouth also reports two structured academic pathways: study abroad and co-curricular undergraduate research. It is worth asking how they work in practice and whether they apply to your child’s major.
Getting In: What It Requires and How Difficult It Is
Dartmouth reported that it does not have open admission. Among the nine factors reviewed in this count, it marked six as required: the high school record, GPA, completion of the required college-preparatory curriculum, the personal essay, letters of recommendation, and an English-proficiency exam when applicable. It also considers—but does not require—class rank, a portfolio or competency exam, work experience, and whether a family member attended the school.
That last factor—legacy status—is something your child cannot change. If it does not apply to them, do not spend energy on it. Spend it on what is within their control: the essay, the letters, and the academic record.
The published application fee is $80.
Now for the figures that define this school’s reputation. In the 2023 cycle, Dartmouth received 28,841 first-time applications and offered admission to 1,797. That is 6 out of every 100. On the other side were 27,044 applicants who did not receive an offer. Compared with 942 selective private schools, Dartmouth is among those that admit the smallest share: nine out of ten schools in that group, or more, admitted a higher percentage.
I want to be direct with you here: this number does not measure your child’s worth. It measures how many places were offered relative to how many people applied. And for those who do not receive an offer, the data do not even distinguish among denial, placement on a waiting list, or withdrawal of an application. What I will tell you is this: if your child is building a college list, make sure it includes schools on both sides—some as selective as this one and others that admit most applicants.
An interesting figure comes next: out of every 100 students admitted in 2023, 67 ultimately enrolled. It is one of the highest percentages among similar schools. But do not read it as applause—it says nothing about why they decided to enroll, only that other families chose this school after receiving an acceptance. And if your family receives that letter, ask that same day when the deposit is due and whether the deadline can be extended while you wait for other decisions. The fact that others enrolled quickly does not mean your child should sign in a rush.
Regarding standardized tests, Dartmouth reported that the SAT and ACT are not required. If your child submits them, they are considered; if not, the application remains valid. Among those who did enroll, 43 out of every 100 submitted an SAT score—one of the highest rates among 653 similar universities. Among that group, the middle half scored between 740 and 780 in reading and writing and between 760 and 790 in mathematics. But be careful: those ranges describe students who had already enrolled and chose to submit a score, not all applicants. That 740 is not a minimum your child must reach, and that 780 does not guarantee anything either.
Regarding transfers: in fall 2023, 30 undergraduate students arrived at Dartmouth for the first time after studying at another institution. That is a low count compared with similar schools, although it is consistent with the school’s size. The rate at which students leave Dartmouth is not reported here—that does not prove that nobody transfers out; it only means that this specific data point is unavailable in this file.
The Sticker Price and Why It Is Not What Your Family Will Pay
At Dartmouth College, among 35 first-time, full-time, credential-seeking students who received federal Title IV aid and whose EFC records showed family income below $30,000, the average net price was $2,978. Among 52 students in the same population with EFC family income from $48,001 to $75,000, it was $5,841; among 163 students with EFC family income above $110,000, it was $51,575. For dependent students, the income band combines their parents’ income with their own.
The difference between the average for the lowest-income band, which included 35 students, and the average for the highest-income band, which included 163 students, is $48,597. These are group averages, not a prediction of your family’s price. Among first-year students who received any grant or scholarship aid, the average was $17,322.
Among the 937 schools of the same type and control included in this census that reported this figure with the same time coverage, Dartmouth falls within the least expensive quarter for the lowest-income families after grants and scholarships are subtracted. That does not mean it will be inexpensive for your family. It is a data point that carries weight when you decide which schools to apply to.
Because the price varies so much from one income band to another, identifying yours correctly is the first step. The income bands in this profile describe first-time, full-time, credential-seeking students who received federal Title IV aid; at public institutions, they use the in-state or in-district rate. The overall average after grants and scholarships, when shown, describes first-time, full-time, credential-seeking students who received federal, state, local, or institutional grants or scholarships. The aid letter you receive is what matters.
How It Is Paid in Practice: Grants, Pell, and Loans
At Dartmouth, 49 out of every 100 students receive some form of grant or scholarship aid that does not have to be repaid. The other 51 receive none. Compared with similar schools, it falls in the quarter where grants and scholarships reach fewer students—although among those who do receive them, the annual average is $59,611. Only 15 out of every 100 students receive a Pell Grant, the federal grant for low-income families.
Do not assume you will receive a grant or scholarship. Before applying, request a list of available aid, who qualifies, and when each application is due. And when your letter arrives, do not focus on the size of the advertised discount: focus on how much your family would have to pay out of pocket, and compare that number across schools.
Regarding loans: in the 2022-23 school year, only 12 out of every 100 undergraduate students received a federal student loan. Most did not receive one that year. Among those who did borrow, the average was $5,980. Compared with similar schools, Dartmouth relies on federal student loans less than almost all of them.
Here is a truth worth stating plainly: the fact that most students do not use federal student loans does not mean everyone had enough from other sources. There may be grants or scholarships, employment, family savings, or other kinds of debt that this report does not record. And that average of $5,980 covers only one year and only federal loans in the student’s name—it does not include what parents borrow on their own, credit cards, or the total debt with which someone graduates. That number is not in this report.
Dartmouth also reports two mechanisms for managing payment: a prepaid tuition plan and an installment payment plan.
Life on Campus
If your child enters full time in their first year, living on campus is not optional—it is required. The school reports a maximum capacity of 3,875 students in institution-controlled housing. When comparing Dartmouth’s price with another school’s, include room and board from the beginning: tuition alone is misleading when housing is mandatory.
Regarding ROTC, the only branch confirmed in writing is Army. Navy and Air Force are not marked. If your child is interested in another branch, it is not confirmed in this report—that does not make it impossible; it only means you must ask directly, including whether the program takes place on this campus or another one, how many spots are available, and what the requirements are.
Dartmouth competes in intercollegiate athletics and is affiliated with the NCAA. The report confirms membership for football, basketball, baseball, and cross-country or track and field, but it does not say which division each sport competes in or whether athletic scholarships are offered. If sports are part of the plan, contact the coach directly and request a written response.
Regarding distance education, Dartmouth offers it, but not at the undergraduate level. The very level at which your child would enter is excluded. In the fall count, 0 out of every 100 undergraduate students took all their classes through distance education. If your child needs scheduling flexibility, do not count on online classes to provide it.
The library operates with paid staff, has physical and digital collections, and participates in interlibrary lending. The institution also reports academic and career counseling services, employment services for current students and graduates, participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program, a student veterans’ organization, and a disability-services website. The fact that these services are reported does not tell you how good they are or what they feel like in practice—that is something to ask about during a visit.
The Outcomes: How Many Stay and How Many Finish
Of the cohort that entered in fall 2022—1,124 first-time, full-time bachelor’s-degree-seeking students—98 out of every 100 were still enrolled or had already completed their degree one year later. It is one of the highest percentages among 930 similar schools. But this number combines two different outcomes—remaining enrolled or having already graduated—without telling you which applied to each person or what happened to the 25 who were not included in the count.
Of those who entered a bachelor’s degree program in 2017, 96 out of every 100 graduated within six years—1,165 out of 1,213 students. Under the shorter four-year timeframe, the figure falls to 84 out of every 100: a difference of 12 percentage points between the two timeframes. Compared with 920 similar schools, Dartmouth is among those that graduate the largest share.
At eight years, the figure rises even further: 95 out of every 100 members of the cohort that entered in 2015-16 had earned a degree or certificate from this school as of August 2023. Among Pell Grant recipients, the figure is identical: 95 out of every 100.
I want to tell you something very clearly because it is the most important truth in this section: a high percentage is not a promise for your child. It reflects what happened to a specific cohort, at a specific time, at this school. What is within your family’s control is making sure your child enters with their credits in order, knows who their advisor is from the first semester, and knows when to register for the courses required for their major. No IPEDS data point guarantees that. You build it together.
Putting the Pieces Together
You know that almost everyone who enters stays, and that almost everyone who stays finishes. You also know what no data point can tell you: how your child will feel in that remote New Hampshire town, whether they will find community there, or whether the specific program they want to study has the strength they need.
That part—what your child wants and has built, and what your family can and is willing to pay—does not live in any federal report. It lives in the conversations you have at home, in the FAFSA you complete, and in the aid letter you eventually receive in writing.
Now you know one of the pieces of the map well. Put it together with the other two, and that combination will produce a plan that belongs to your family.
Note on sources: The information in this article comes from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) and the United States Department of Education, with data corresponding primarily to the 2023 cycle and to specific cohorts identified in each section. Best College Aid does not represent Dartmouth College or any government agency; this article organizes and explains public data to help you understand them.