Skip to content
Back

Dartmouth

By Sean Khottavong

For the Class of 2028, Dartmouth College upheld its reputation for selectivity with an overall acceptance rate of 5.4%, admitting 1,710 students from a pool of 31,656 applicants. The Early Decision round offered a more favorable acceptance rate of 17.07%, accounting for 606 of the admitted students or 49% of the incoming class. 

Standardized Testing

Academically, Dartmouth’s admitted students showcased exceptional standardized test scores. The mean SAT scores were 733 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and 750 for Math, with median scores reaching 750 and 770, respectively. The middle 50% of SAT scores ranged from 710–770 for Reading and 730–790 for Math. For the ACT, the average composite score was 33, with the middle 50% ranging from 32 to 35. These numbers reflect Dartmouth’s commitment to academic excellence and its continued appeal to high-achieving students.

For the Class of 2028, Dartmouth received a record 31,657 applications, admitting 1,685 students, resulting in an acceptance rate of 5.3%, the lowest in the college’s history. Of those admitted, 49% were enrolled through Early Decision. The enrolled class comprises 1,183 students, with 50.8% receiving scholarship aid and an average award of $71,582. Notably, 19.4% of the class are Pell Grant recipients, indicating a commitment to socioeconomic diversity. The class also includes 15% from rural U.S. communities and 14.5% international students. In terms of academic credentials, 93% of students ranked in the top decile of their high school class.

Class of 2028Overall Acceptance RateEarly Decision Acceptance RateTotal Number of Applications ReceivedTotal Number of Applications AcceptedNumber of Students Admitted Early DecisionPercentage of the Class Admitted Early Decision
Dartmouth5.40%17.07%31656171060649%
SAT Critical Reading EBRWSAT Math
Mean733750
Median750770
Mid 50% Range71-770730-790
ACT Composite
Mean33
Mid 50% Range32-35


Latest Posts

Show all
College Admissions Transparency Index 2026 - Oriel Admissions

College Admissions Transparency Index

TL;DR: The College Admissions Transparency Index grades 50 of the most selective universities in the United States on how openly, quickly, and accessibly they disclose admissions data and how clearly they explain their process to applicants. In the 2026 edition, Yale, MIT, and Georgia Tech tie for the top score (96, A), eight universities go … Continued

The Princeton campus - a look at what Princeton is known for

Does Princeton Require the SAT? Testing Policy Explained

Princeton remains test optional for applicants entering in fall 2027, then requires the SAT or ACT beginning with the 2027-28 admissions cycle (fall 2028 entry) for first-year and transfer applicants. See the exact timeline, Princeton's score choice and superscore rules, and how each graduating class should plan.

King Library at Miami University - return of standardized testing

Can You Change Your Test-Optional Decision After Applying?

Whether you can change your test-optional decision after applying depends entirely on the school: Swarthmore locks the choice at submission, Wellesley and Rice allow one-way changes, and Williams, UVA, Northwestern, and Duke keep it open to stated deadlines. Compare every rule before you apply.

MIT Massachusetts Institute of Technology main campus aerial view

Does MIT Require the SAT? Testing Policy Explained

MIT requires the SAT or ACT for all first-year and transfer applicants, a requirement reinstated in March 2022, earlier than any elite peer. Learn MIT's superscore and full-sitting reporting rules, its self-report-only policy, the November 30 and December 31 testing deadlines, and how to plan.

Sign up for our newsletter