Dartmouth College admissions, by the numbers
Every figure on this page comes from the school’s own Common Data Set (2025-2026 edition) and was independently verified against official sources.
6%
acceptance rate
28,230
applicants
1,699
admitted
21.6%
Early Decision rate (3.6x the overall rate)
The admissions picture
Dartmouth received 28,230 applications in its 2025-2026 Common Data Set and admitted 1,699 students, a 6% acceptance rate. Testing is required under its current policy.
The standout number is Early Decision: Dartmouth admitted 21.6% of ED applicants, roughly 3.6 times the overall rate and the largest early advantage in our dataset. For a small college that values demonstrated commitment, the binding signal of ED clearly counts.
What Dartmouth College says it weighs
Colleges report how much each application factor matters in section C7 of their Common Data Set. These are Dartmouth College’s own ratings, not our opinion.
Very important
Important
Considered
Not considered
What this means
Dartmouth rates eight factors very important, spanning the full academic core (rigor, class rank, GPA, test scores) and the personal side (essays, recommendations, extracurriculars, character). A small college reads applications for community fit as much as credentials: it wants students who will show up, contribute, and be known by name. Evidence that people can rely on you, from teachers, coaches, or a manager, lands especially well here.
Testing policy
SAT or ACT scores are required.
How to stand out at Dartmouth College
- 1
Take Early Decision seriously. A 21.6% ED rate versus 6% overall is the biggest early edge in this dataset, and it fits Dartmouth's preference for students who genuinely want to be there.
- 2
Show commitment over collection. Eight factors in the top tier reward applicants with sustained depth, a few things done thoroughly and personally, over long thin lists.
- 3
Prepare for required testing early. Dartmouth requires scores under its current policy and rates them very important, so build the testing timeline into your plan.
For business-minded applicants
Dartmouth has no undergraduate business major; aspiring business students typically major in economics (or engineering modified with economics) and can add the Tuck School of Business's Business Bridge program, with Tuck offering the MBA only at the graduate level.
With no undergraduate business major, Dartmouth's business-bound students typically run through economics, often adding real-world experience through internships and the college's strong alumni network, with the Tuck School of Business available at the graduate level. In the application itself, applied experience does double duty: it strengthens the extracurricular story Dartmouth rates very important and gives essays and recommenders concrete material.
Building a profile for Dartmouth College?
Dartmouth College rates extracurriculars very important in its own filing. Real internship experience is exactly that kind of signal.
Common questions about Dartmouth College admissions
How much does Early Decision help at Dartmouth?
A lot, on the numbers: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set shows a 21.6% ED admit rate against 6% overall, about 3.6 times the odds. ED is binding, so it belongs only at a true first choice, but at Dartmouth the commitment is clearly valued.
Is Dartmouth test optional?
No. Under its current policy Dartmouth requires standardized test scores, and its Common Data Set rates them very important alongside GPA and course rigor.
What does Dartmouth look for in applicants?
Its filing puts eight factors in the top tier, evenly split between academics and personal qualities. As a small, community-centered college, Dartmouth responds to depth, reliability, and evidence that you will contribute somewhere specific on campus.
Sources
Data reflects the 2025-2026Common Data Set, the most recent verified edition at the time of publication. Always confirm current requirements on the school’s admissions site.
Dartmouth Hall photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0