Head-to-head · 2026
Dartmouth College vs Plymouth State University
Compare average net price ($29,519 at Dartmouth College; $19,216 at Plymouth State University), ROI score (8.25 vs 7.46), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($97,434 vs $57,304), and admissions selectivity (5.4% acceptance at Dartmouth College; 87.5% at Plymouth State University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Dartmouth College | Plymouth State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.25 ✓ | 7.46 |
| Avg net price | $29,519 | $19,216 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $118,076 | $76,864 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $68,268 | $14,626 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $68,268 | $25,566 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $97,434 ✓ | $57,304 |
| Acceptance rate | 5.4% | 87.5% |
| Graduation rate | 95.5% ✓ | 52% |
| Retention rate | 98.4% ✓ | 68.5% |
| Median debt | $17,500 ✓ | $26,000 |
| Enrollment | 4,541 | 3,153 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1534 | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Dartmouth College | Plymouth State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $41 ✓ | $14,676 |
| Family income $30–48k | $489 ✓ | $14,714 |
| Family income $48–75k | $2,695 ✓ | $17,030 |
| Family income $75–110k | $8,534 ✓ | $21,157 |
| Family income $110k+ | $52,036 | $23,020 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Dartmouth College | Plymouth State University |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 6.9% | 5.3% |
| Computer Science | 7.4% | 1.6% |
| Political Science and Government | 6.9% | 0.7% |
| Public Health | 4.5% | 2.2% |
| Biology, General | 2.8% | 2% |
| English Language and Literature, General | 1.4% | 2.3% |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 1.4% | 1.6% |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 0.3% | 2.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Plymouth State University reports the lower average net price by $10,303 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $41,212 difference over four years ($76,864 vs $118,076).
Dartmouth College reports $40,130 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($97,434 vs $57,304). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 98.4% at Dartmouth College and 68.5% at Plymouth State University. Median federal debt among completers is $17,500 vs $26,000, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Dartmouth College vs Plymouth State University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Plymouth State University is cheaper — average net price $19,216 per year vs $29,519 at Dartmouth College. The annual difference of $10,303 adds up to about $41,212 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Dartmouth College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $97,434 vs $57,304 at Plymouth State University. The gap in the federal data is $40,130. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Dartmouth College is more selective at 5.4% acceptance vs 87.5% at Plymouth State University.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.