Haverford College vs Dartmouth

Haverford College and Dartmouth College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Haverford, a liberal arts college, boasts a tight-knit community with a focus on undergraduate teaching, while Dartmouth, an Ivy League research university, provides a diverse range of academic programs and opportunities for research. With acceptance rates of 13% and 7%, respectively, both colleges are highly selective. Haverford's student body is predominantly female (56%), while Dartmouth's is nearly evenly split between men and women. Popular majors at Haverford include social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences, while Dartmouth offers a wider range of options, including engineering, business, and medicine. With graduation rates of 94% and 97%, both colleges ensure that their students are well-prepared for their future endeavors. Explore the comparison table below to discover more about these two exceptional institutions and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Dartmouth College	Haverford College
Overview
Location	Hanover, New Hampshire	Haverford, Pennsylvania
Campus setting	Town: Remote	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Quarter	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate
Students retention rate	98.0%	94.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	6.2%	17.8%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $50	$65
SAT range	1440 - 1560	1420 - 1540
ACT range	33 - 35	33 - 35
Students submitting SAT score	47.0%	38.0%
Students submitting ACT score	30.0%	21.0%
Total number of applicants	28,356	5,332
Total number of admissions given out	1,750	951
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,221	411
Yield rate	69.8%	43.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$81,501	$81,570
Average net price	$24,078	$24,462
Tuition	$58,953	$60,442
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $10,569 Meal plan: $6,792	Room/dormitory: $10,320 Meal plan: $6,980
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	48.0% Average amount $56,106	45.0% Average amount $53,518
Students receiving federal student loan	20.0% Average amount $5,066	15.0% Average amount $4,885
Students taking out private loans	37.0% Average amount $5,335	3.0% Average amount $26,584

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	4,556 Men 50.7% Women 49.3%	1,420 Men 46.3% Women 53.7%
Graduate students	2,205 Men 50.4% Women 49.6%	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	97.3%	N/A
International students	17.0%	10.6%
Campus local/setting	Town: Remote	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	3,733	1,424
First year students are required to live on campus?	Yes	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California New York Mississippi New Jersey Texas	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Health Professions Engineering Social Sciences Mathematics and Statistics	Social Sciences Physical Science Computer and Information Science Foreign Languages and Literatures Mathematics and Statistics
Students to faculty ratio	7:1	8:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	93.6%	90.1%
Dropout rate	4.9%	2.9%
Transferred out	N/A	6.4%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $160,724 Year 2: $167,295 Year 3: $180,970 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $111,259 Year 2: $113,015 Year 3: $128,856 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $85,069 Year 2: $87,604 Year 3: $98,252 Public Health (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $77,715 Year 3: $88,684 Engineering Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $76,341 Year 2: $78,343 Year 3: $81,883 Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,277 Year 2: $64,990 Year 3: $81,813 Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $47,302 Year 2: $48,432 Year 3: $80,946 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $57,095 Year 2: $62,192 Year 3: $75,463 Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $76,013 Year 2: $103,078 Year 3: $71,100 Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $58,996 Year 2: $61,728 Year 3: $70,914	Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $35,410 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,952 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,876 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,162 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences in academic focus between Haverford College and Dartmouth College?

Haverford College emphasizes a strong liberal arts education with a focus on close student-faculty interaction, interdisciplinary studies, and a collaborative learning environment. Dartmouth College, while also offering a strong liberal arts foundation, has a more pronounced emphasis on research, particularly in STEM fields, and a broader range of professional programs, including a renowned business school (Tuck) and medical school (Geisel).
How does the student body culture differ at Haverford and Dartmouth?

Haverford is known for its highly collaborative and intellectually engaged student body, with a strong emphasis on Quaker values such as consensus-building and social justice. Dartmouth has a more traditional college culture, with a vibrant social scene, strong Greek life presence, and a focus on school spirit and traditions. However, Dartmouth also has a diverse and academically driven student body.
What is the size and setting of each college?

Haverford is a smaller college with approximately 1,350 undergraduates, located in a suburban setting just outside of Philadelphia. Dartmouth is a larger institution with around 4,500 undergraduates, situated in a more rural setting in Hanover, New Hampshire.
How does the financial aid and cost of attendance compare?

Both Haverford and Dartmouth are committed to meeting the demonstrated financial need of admitted students. However, the overall cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room, and board, may vary slightly. It's recommended to consult the financial aid offices of both institutions for the most up-to-date information and to compare your individual financial aid packages.
What are the strengths of the faculty at each institution?

Haverford boasts a highly accessible and dedicated faculty, known for their commitment to undergraduate teaching and mentoring. Dartmouth's faculty includes leading scholars and researchers across various disciplines, with opportunities for students to engage in cutting-edge research. Both institutions have faculty who are experts in their fields.
What are the career services and post-graduate opportunities like at Haverford and Dartmouth?

Both colleges offer robust career services. Haverford's career services often emphasize internships and opportunities within the liberal arts, as well as graduate school preparation. Dartmouth's career services provide extensive resources for students interested in a wider range of career paths, including consulting, finance, and technology, leveraging its strong alumni network. Dartmouth also has a larger alumni network.
How does the campus environment and social life differ?

Haverford's campus is known for its beautiful arboretum and close-knit community, fostering a more intimate social environment. Dartmouth offers a more traditional college experience with a vibrant social scene, including Greek life, outdoor activities, and a strong sense of school spirit. Both campuses offer a variety of clubs, organizations, and events.
What are the opportunities for undergraduate research at each college?

Both Haverford and Dartmouth provide significant opportunities for undergraduate research. Haverford emphasizes collaborative research with faculty, often integrated into the curriculum. Dartmouth offers extensive research opportunities across various departments, including access to state-of-the-art facilities and research centers.
How do the athletic programs compare?

Haverford competes in NCAA Division III athletics, emphasizing a balance between academics and athletics. Dartmouth competes in NCAA Division I athletics, with a focus on a higher level of competition and a broader range of sports. Both schools offer a variety of intramural and club sports.
Which college is a better fit for me?

The best fit depends on your individual preferences and goals. If you thrive in a close-knit, collaborative environment with a strong emphasis on the liberal arts, Haverford might be a good choice. If you are seeking a broader range of academic and extracurricular opportunities, a more traditional college experience, and a strong research focus, Dartmouth might be a better fit. Consider visiting both campuses, talking to current students, and reflecting on your own priorities to make an informed decision.

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