The Dartmouth acceptance rate for the Class of 2030 stands at 5.8%, meaning fewer than 1 in 16 applicants received an offer of admission. For a member of the Ivy League, that level of selectivity is expected, but understanding what drives it, and how it has changed over time, is essential for anyone seriously considering applying.
If you want to one day join Dartmouth’s famous alumni, this guide covers everything you need to know about Dartmouth’s acceptance rate: how it has trended over recent years, how Early Decision compares to Regular Decision, where Dartmouth sits relative to other Ivy League schools, and what factors shape the admissions outcome for each new class.
The Recent History of Dartmouth Acceptance Rates
In the last five years, the acceptance rate has remained relatively steady between 5.3% and 6.2%. Here is a look at the most recent acceptance rate trends.
| Class Year | Total Applications | Total Admitted | Acceptance Rate |
| 2030 | 28,863 | 1,687 | 5.8% |
| 2029 | 28,230 | 1,702 | 6.0% |
| 2028 | 31,657 | 1,685 | 5.3% |
| 2027 | 28,841 | 1,798 | 6.0% |
| 2026 | 28,357 | 1,749 | 6.2% |
| 2025 | 28,357 | 1,749 | 6.2% |
| 2024 | 21,394 | 1,881 | 8.8% |
| 2023 | 23,650 | 1,876 | 7.9% |
| 2022 | 22,033 | 1,925 | 8.7% |
| 2021 | 20,034 | 2,092 | 10.4% |
| 2020 | 20,675 | 2,176 | 10.5% |
As recently as the Class of 2021, Dartmouth’s acceptance rate was above 10%. The fall in acceptance rate is driven by two trends which have developed since the Covid pandemic:
- Increasing numbers of applicants – from around 20,000 each year to 30,000 or more
- Decreasing number of acceptances – from around 2,100 each year to 1,700. (While Dartmouth still has the same number of places available, it is accepting fewer students because its yield rate (the percentage of accepted students who go on to enrol at the university) has increased, meaning it can give out fewer acceptances to fill its incoming class.)
The Latest Dartmouth Admission Cycle
For the Class of 2030, Dartmouth College received 28,863 applications, with 1,687 students admitted, resulting in a 5.8% acceptance rate. This year’s cycle saw the second highest number of applications on record, meaning competition for places remains intense. Yield rates remained high, confirming Dartmouth’s strong pull among admitted students.
Dartmouth Acceptance Rates: Early vs Regular Decision
Early Decision (ED)
Dartmouth College offers an Early Decision (ED) application option, which generally provides applicants with a higher acceptance rate compared to the Regular Decision process. For the Class of 2028, Dartmouth’s ED acceptance rate was approximately 17.1%. The higher acceptance rate for ED applicants reflects the college’s commitment to filling a significant portion of its class early with dedicated applicants.
However, Early Decision is a binding option, meaning that students who are accepted through ED must commit to attending Dartmouth.
Dartmouth’s ED acceptance rate is the highest of any Ivy application process, though it’s important to note that this doesn’t necessarily make it the easiest Ivy League school to get into.
Regular Decision (RD)
Dartmouth’s Regular Decision (RD) acceptance rate is typically lower than the ED rate due to the large volume of applicants. For the Class of 2028, the RD acceptance rate was around 3.9%, with 1,104 students admitted from 28,106 applicants. This lower acceptance rate underscores the competitive nature of the RD process and highlights the increased competition faced by applicants who apply later in the cycle.
| Class Year | Early Decision Acceptance Rate | Regular Decision Acceptance Rate |
| 2028 | 17.1% | 3.9% |
| 2027 | 19.2% | 4.5% |
| 2026 | 21.3% | 4.7% |
| 2025 | 21.2% | 4.5% |
| 2024 | 26.4% | 6.9% |
| 2023 | 23.2% | 6.1% |
| 2022 | 24.9% | 6.9% |
| 2021 | 27.8% | 8.5% |
| 2020 | 25.6% | 9.0% |
Factors that Affect the Acceptance Rate
Dartmouth’s acceptance rate has fallen sharply over the past decade. As recently as the Class of 2021, it stood above 10%. For the Class of 2030, it was 5.8%. Two trends, both accelerated by the Covid pandemic, explain most of that decline.
High Application Numbers
The first is a surge in applications. Dartmouth received around 20,000 applications per year for much of the 2010s. Since the pandemic, that figure has risen to around 30,000 or more — a 50% increase in competition for the same number of places.
Dartmouth has the smallest intake of any Ivy League (only 1150 students each year or so) which also suppresses acceptance rates: there just aren’t that many places to give away.
Increasing Yield Rate
The second trend is less obvious but equally significant: Dartmouth is now admitting fewer students than it used to, even though its class size has not changed. This is because its yield rate (the percentage of admitted students who go on to enrol) has increased. When more admitted students actually show up, the university needs to send out fewer offers to fill its incoming class. The result is that admissions numbers have fallen from around 2,100 per year to roughly 1,700, pushing the acceptance rate down further still.
High Applicant Quality
Of course, having lots of applicants wouldn’t matter much if they weren’t very good. In fact, though, many very highly qualified students apply to Dartmouth each year and unfortunately the university can’t accept all of them. Numbers only tell part of the story, but they are still a useful guideline, so let’s explore the average GPA and test scores of admitted applicants. If you want to learn more, read our guide on how hard it is to get into Dartmouth.
GPA
Dartmouth does not publish a minimum GPA, but the typical admitted student has a GPA in the range of 3.9 to 4.0 (unweighted), placing them at or near the top of their high school class.
Test Scores
For standardised tests, the middle 50% of admitted students score between 1510 and 1570 on the SAT, and between 34 and 36 on the ACT – these are scores in the top 1% of all students in the US.
Learn more about what a good SAT score and ACT score is for the Ivy League.
Holistic Admissions
Strong grades and test scores are necessary but not sufficient. Dartmouth employs a holistic review process, meaning that academic metrics are considered alongside extracurricular involvement, personal achievements, letters of recommendation, and the college essays. The admissions team is looking for students who will contribute to campus life and embody the college’s values — not simply those with the highest scores. This is why two applicants with identical academic profiles can have very different outcomes, and why building a well-rounded, distinctive application matters as much as hitting the right numbers.
How Does the Dartmouth Acceptance Rate Compare with Other Ivy League Schools?
When compared to its Ivy League counterparts, Dartmouth’s acceptance rate is actually among the highest, second only to Cornell. Below is a comparison of Ivy League acceptance rates, using the most recent application data available for each college.
| University | Acceptance Rate |
| Brown | 5.2% |
| Columbia | 3.9% |
| Cornell | 8.4% |
| Dartmouth | 5.8% |
| Harvard | 3.6% |
| Penn | 5.4% |
| Princeton | 4.6% |
| Yale | 3.7% |
Why is the Acceptance Rate So Low?
Dartmouth’s low acceptance rate is due to a combination of high application volume, high yield rate, and the strength of its applicant pool. Many applicants have stellar academic records, impressive extracurriculars, and high test scores, all of which contribute to the competitiveness of the admissions process. Additionally, Dartmouth’s reputation as an Ivy League institution attracts applicants globally, making it one of the most selective schools in the U.S.
FAQs
The acceptance rate for Dartmouth’s Class of 2030 is 5.8%.
Yes, Dartmouth has an Early Decision option with a higher acceptance rate than Regular Decision.
Dartmouth’s acceptance rate is actually fairly high compared to most Ivy League schools. At 5.8%, its acceptance rate is higher than the most competitive Ivies like Harvard and Yale (at or below 4%) and second only to Cornell (around 8%).
The Regular Decision acceptance rate is lower than Early Decision, typically below 4%.
Dukes Plus provides tailored admissions consulting to help applicants strengthen their Dartmouth applications.
Dartmouth doesn’t admit by major, and students don’t even have to declare a major until late in sophomore year. This means no major has a lower acceptance rate than any other. You can learn more about what you can study at Dartmouth in our dedicated guide.
How Can Dukes Plus Help Your Dartmouth Application Succeed?
Dukes Plus offers comprehensive support for students aiming to apply to Dartmouth College. Our services are tailored to help applicants showcase their unique strengths, align their profiles with Dartmouth’s values, and present well-rounded applications.
For more information, please visit our US Ivy League Admissions Consulting page or contact us for a personalised consultation.
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