Dartmouth College's published cost of attendance is $87,793, but need-based aid reshapes that figure substantially across income levels. Low-income families see a net price of approximately $41, while middle-income families pay around $2,695, and higher-income families pay approximately $52,036.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $87,793 |
| Tuition and Fees | $68,268 |
| Room and Board | $19,999 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,005 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$58,274 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $29,519 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $41 |
| $30–48k | $489 |
| $48–75k | $2,695 |
| $75–110k | $8,534 |
| $110k+ | $52,036 |
Dartmouth College's published cost of attendance is $87,793, but need-based aid reshapes that figure substantially across income levels. Low-income families see a net price of approximately $41, while middle-income families pay around $2,695, and higher-income families pay approximately $52,036. Azimuth ranks Dartmouth College #1061 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Dartmouth's aid structure is need-based, with the college committing to meet demonstrated financial need in full for qualifying students. Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile, and the aid package typically combines grants, work-study, and limited self-help components. The gap between sticker price and what low-income families actually pay reflects the depth of institutional grant funding — a dynamic worth understanding before assuming the net price illusion applies here. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $17,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $44,481; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $111,883, median federal debt of $17,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $198 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Dartmouth College earn median earnings of $111,883 four years after enrollment, placing Dartmouth College in the 99.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs well above the $67,139 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band). Graduates earn about $8,620 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Dartmouth College in the 83.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Dartmouth College #11 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern at Dartmouth College reflects a social-sciences-heavy program mix — Social Sciences accounts for 32% of degrees, followed by Engineering at 9% and Arts at 5%. Computer Science combines large cohort scale with strong pay, making it a central driver of the institution's overall return profile. Azimuth ranks Economics #6 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions for median earnings four years after enrollment , with 170 graduates earning median earnings of $152,929. The Political Science program graduates 153 students with median earnings of $106,153, and Azimuth ranks Computer Science #14 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions for median earnings four years after enrollment, with 130 graduates earning median earnings of $201,702. Azimuth ranks Engineering Science #1 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions for median earnings four years after enrollment, and Research Psychology ranks #1 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions for median earnings four years after enrollment with 71 graduates earning median earnings of $99,344.
