Dartmouth vs UPenn: Which Ivy League School Is Better?

Dartmouth vs UPenn isn’t one of those classic Ivy League rivalries like Harvard vs Yale, but that doesn’t mean the comparison isn’t worth exploring. Both schools are members of the Ivy League, and they regularly land high spots on rankings like US News and QS World University Rankings. The competition between them is more about academic excellence and attracting top talent than any long-standing feud.

So in this breakdown, you’ll get a clear picture of how Dartmouth and UPenn stack up from academics and rankings to campus vibe, cost, and admissions.

• Dartmouth vs UPenn: A Quick Overview
• Dartmouth vs UPenn: Acceptance Rates
• Dartmouth vs UPenn: Rankings
• Dartmouth vs UPenn: Admission Requirements
• Dartmouth vs UPenn: Cost of Attendance
• Dartmouth vs UPenn: Financial Aid and Scholarships
• Dartmouth vs UPenn: Final Verdict
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

Dartmouth vs UPenn: A Quick Overview

Picking the right university can feel like a lot. You have to think about the pros and cons, check the tuition, see which programs match your goals, and go through a ton of school options. But once you’re down to just two choices, that’s when things get even trickier.

So, before diving into the details, let’s take a quick look at these two top schools:

Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College, in Hanover, NH, has existed since 1769. It is one of the oldest colleges in the U.S., part of the Ivy League, and originally started with a mission to educate Native Americans and train ministers.

These days, it’s known as a top liberal arts school that puts a lot of heart into undergrad education. The school now offers over 40 academic departments and programs to choose from.

The campus is also home to the Tuck School of Business, Thayer School of Engineering, and Geisel School of Medicine, three big names that add even more to Dartmouth’s strong reputation.

Over the years, the school has made real contributions in medicine, public policy, and environmental work. The Geisel School of Medicine, one of the oldest med schools in the U.S., has done significant research in cancer care, rural health, and improving how healthcare is delivered.

It has produced influential alumni, including former U.S. Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, beloved author and illustrator Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel), and U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. Other notable graduates include Mindy Kaling, writer and actress best known for The Office and The Mindy Project, and Jeff Immelt, former CEO of General Electric.

University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) was founded way back in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin. His goal was simple but forward-thinking: to build a school that mixed practical skills with a solid classical education. That idea helped shape UPenn into the first school in the U.S. to offer both undergraduate and professional programs.

Since then, it’s grown into one of the top Ivy League universities, with twelve schools that cover everything from business and law to medicine and engineering.

One of its most famous schools, Wharton, opened in 1881 and is known as the first collegiate business school in the world. It’s still a big name today, especially in finance, management, and entrepreneurship.

Penn Medicine is another major part of the university. It’s been behind some groundbreaking work in gene therapy, cancer research, and the science behind mRNA vaccines.

UPenn is also where the ENIAC was created back in 1946, which was the first electronic general-purpose computer ever built.

Dartmouth vs UPenn: Acceptance Rates

When you talk about Ivy League matchups, Dartmouth vs UPenn might not be the first rivalry that comes to mind—but both schools are highly competitive in their own right.

For the Class of 2028, UPenn had an acceptance rate of around 5.4%, while Dartmouth had an acceptance rate of about 5.3%. Both schools get tens of thousands of applications every year from the best students around the globe, and only a small fraction are admitted.

Dartmouth vs UPenn: Rankings

Want a quick way to see how solid a university’s reputation is? Check out the rankings. A bunch of trusted organizations rank schools every year based on things like academic strength, research output, and overall performance. It’s a good way to get a feel for how your top choices compare.

So let’s see how Dartmouth and UPenn have stacked up over the past three years, based on three major ranking platforms: Times Higher Education, QS World University Rankings, and US News and World Report.

Dartmouth and UPenn have taken very different paths in the rankings game over the past few years. Based on the table, it’s clear that UPenn has been holding strong across the board, while Dartmouth’s performance is a bit more mixed—especially in global rankings.

Take the Times Higher Education rankings as an example. In 2025, UPenn landed at #14, while Dartmouth came in at #168. That gap has stayed pretty wide over the years, with UPenn consistently sitting in the top 20, and Dartmouth gradually dropping from #123 in 2023 to #168 in 2025.

The same trend shows up in the QS World University Rankings. In 2025, UPenn hit #11, holding steady from #12 and #13 in previous years. Dartmouth, on the other hand, ranked #243 in 2025, down from #205 in 2023. So if you’re looking purely at global visibility, UPenn clearly has the edge.

Now, when it comes to U.S. News Best National University Rankings, the competition gets a little closer. Dartmouth ranked #12 in 2023 but slipped to #18 in 2024 before bouncing back to #15 in 2025. UPenn stayed in the top 10 all three years, ranking as high as #6 and most recently at #10. So even in national rankings, UPenn has been more consistent.

So, what do these rankings really mean for you? Honestly, rankings can give you a sense of how a school is viewed in terms of research, funding, and prestige but they don’t always reflect the actual student experience.

Things like small class sizes, how supportive the professors are, and what kind of community you’ll find on campus don’t always make it into these rankings. In other words, a lower number might look impressive, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle when choosing the right school for you.

Dartmouth vs UPenn: Admission Requirements

Let’s break down what it takes to get into Dartmouth and UPenn. Both are top-tier Ivy League schools, but they each have their own vibe, values, and approach when it comes to admissions.

Dartmouth is no longer test-optional for the Class of 2029, and neither is UPenn. So if you’re applying, you’ll need to submit SAT or ACT scores.

For Dartmouth, most accepted students score between 1440–1560 on the SAT or 32–35 on the ACT. UPenn’s range is a bit higher, with SAT scores between 1500–1570 and ACT scores between 33–35.

There’s no official GPA cutoff at either school, but the average GPA for accepted students at both sits around 3.9, so strong academics definitely help.

As for recommendations, both schools ask for two teacher recommendations and one from your school counselor. These are required, not optional, and they give admissions officers a sense of how you are in the classroom and as a community member.

Supplemental essays are also an important part of the application. Dartmouth typically asks for a few short-answer questions and one longer essay that gives you space to talk about your values, experiences, or goals. UPenn includes three Penn-specific short-answer prompts in addition to the Common App personal statement. 

If you’re looking for a step-by-step guide to help you through the process, we’ve put together easy-to-follow resources that’ll walk you through what it takes to stand out at each school:

• How to Get into Dartmouth
• How to Get into UPenn

Dartmouth vs UPenn: Cost of Attendance

Choosing between Dartmouth and UPenn means looking at more than just academics. You’ll also want to consider the cost. Here’s a look at the estimated cost of attendance for the 2024–2025 academic year at both schools:

Both schools offer an elite education, but it definitely comes with a price tag. Knowing the estimated expenses can help you plan ahead and avoid surprises. Think about what you want your four years to look like, how much you’re willing or able to invest, and how each school can help you reach the future you’re aiming for.

Dartmouth vs UPenn: Financial Aid and Scholarships

Let’s be real. Dartmouth and UPenn aren’t cheap. But the good news is, both schools offer solid financial aid to help make things way more affordable.

Dartmouth uses a need-blind admissions policy for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented students living in the U.S. Basically, your financial situation doesn’t affect your chances of getting in.

Once you’re admitted, Dartmouth promises to cover 100% of your demonstrated financial need and they do it without loans. That means you could graduate debt-free. If your family earns less than $65,000 a year, you’ll likely pay nothing at all, and families earning over $100,000 can still qualify for generous help.

UPenn has a very similar setup. They’re also need-blind for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, and they meet 100% of your financial need using grants and work-study, not loans.

For the Class of 2027, nearly half the students at UPenn got financial aid, and the average aid package was about $61,000. If your family income is under $65,000, UPenn will likely cover your full cost of attendance—including tuition, room, board, and fees.

So even though both schools come with a high price tag on paper, they’re committed to making their education doable for families at all income levels. With the right aid package, going to an Ivy like Dartmouth or UPenn might be way more affordable than you think.

Here are some scholarships available at both schools:

Scholarships at Dartmouth

• Dartmouth College Scholarship. If you apply for financial aid and qualify based on your family’s income, you’ll automatically be considered. Awards range from a few thousand dollars to full tuition.
• Dartmouth Presidential Scholarship. This scholarship is part of Dartmouth’s effort to support students from middle-income families who may not qualify for full aid.
• Dartmouth Endowed Scholarships. Dartmouth has hundreds of donor-funded scholarships that are awarded to students who meet specific criteria (such as academic interests, geographic background, or family history).
• National Merit Scholarships (if attending Dartmouth). If you’re a National Merit Finalist and list Dartmouth as your first-choice school, you may be eligible for a Dartmouth-sponsored National Merit Scholarship.
• ROTC Scholarships (Army, Navy, Air Force). Students interested in serving in the military can apply for ROTC scholarships, which cover tuition and provide a monthly stipend.

Scholarships at UPenn

• Penn Grant. The Penn Grant is the primary need-based financial aid award given to undergraduates. It’s funded by the university and is part of your financial aid package if you qualify.
• Named Scholarships (Donor Awards). UPenn has many named scholarships funded by alumni and donors. These are usually need-based, and you’re automatically considered when you apply for aid.
• Mayor’s Scholarship (for Philadelphia residents). If you live in Philadelphia and attend a Philadelphia public high school, you might be eligible for this scholarship, which covers full tuition.
• QuestBridge National College Match. UPenn is a QuestBridge partner school. If you’re a high-achieving, low-income student, you can apply through QuestBridge for a chance at a full four-year scholarship, including tuition, room, and board.
• ROTC Scholarships (Army, Navy, Air Force). Like Dartmouth, UPenn also supports students interested in the military through ROTC programs.

Dartmouth vs UPenn: Final Verdict

Dartmouth and UPenn are both top-tier Ivy League schools, but they’re pretty different when it comes to the kind of experience they offer. Figuring out which one’s right for you really comes down to what kind of vibe you’re after.

UPenn is fast-paced and career-focused. It’s right in the middle of Philadelphia, so you get city life, tons of networking opportunities, and easy access to internships and research. It’s especially strong in business (thanks to the Wharton School), engineering, nursing, and anything interdisciplinary.

If you’re the type who loves being in the middle of everything and wants to hit the ground running in your career, UPenn might feel like the right fit.

Dartmouth is more laid-back and community-driven. It’s tucked away in Hanover, New Hampshire, a cozy college town surrounded by nature. Classes are small, professors actually know your name, and the school really focuses on undergrad teaching. It also has a flexible academic calendar (the D-Plan), and if you’re into the outdoors, you’ll love the strong adventure culture here.

Dartmouth might be your place if you want a tight-knit community and a more personal, reflective college life.

Both schools offer incredible academics with top-tier resources that can take you far. At the end of the day, it’s not about which school is “better.” It’s about what feels right for you and how you want to spend the next four years.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which is better, Dartmouth or UPenn?

Based on rankings, UPenn ranks higher than Dartmouth. UPenn consistently places in the top 10 in U.S. News and global rankings, while Dartmouth usually falls within the top 15–20 nationally and much lower globally. So if you’re looking at rankings alone, UPenn has the lead.

2. Between Dartmouth vs UPenn, which one is easier to get into?

Dartmouth is slightly easier to get into than UPenn, but only by a small margin. For the Class of 2028, Dartmouth had an acceptance rate of around 5.3%, while UPenn’s was about 5.4%. Both are extremely selective.

3. Between Dartmouth vs UPenn, which one is more expensive?

Dartmouth and UPenn are pretty close in terms of cost, but Dartmouth is slightly more expensive overall. For the 2024–2025 academic year, the total cost of attendance at Dartmouth is around $95,470, while UPenn comes in a bit lower at about $96,612. The difference isn’t huge, but it’s something to keep in mind when comparing the two.

4. Which has a bigger campus, Dartmouth or UPenn?

UPenn has a bigger campus in terms of size and facilities. Its urban campus spans about 299 acres in Philadelphia, while Dartmouth’s rural campus in Hanover covers around 269 acres.

Takeaways

Dartmouth College and University of Pennsylvania are both exceptional schools, but they offer very different experiences. Choosing between them really depends on the kind of college life you want and what matters most to you in a university.

• UPenn ranks higher overall. In both national and global rankings, UPenn consistently places in the top 10, while Dartmouth usually lands in the top 15–20 nationally but much lower globally.
• Both are very selective, but Dartmouth is slightly easier to get into. UPenn’s acceptance rate is around 5.4%, while Dartmouth’s is around 5.3%. It’s a small difference, but still worth noting.
• Cost and financial aid are pretty similar. Both schools cost around $85,000–$87,000 a year, but they offer generous need-based aid and don’t include loans in their packages.
• Dartmouth has a more intimate, community-focused feel. It offers small class sizes and a rural campus while UPenn is more urban and career-driven. UPenn gives you fast access to internships and more professional programs.
• If you’re planning to apply to either school, taking the time to do your research and getting guidance from a college admissions expert can really help you build a solid application and improve your chances of getting accepted.