Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH
Quick Facts
Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education
About Dartmouth College
Dartmouth: Ivy League excellence in a unique wilderness setting, deeply committed to undergraduate success.
Dartmouth College stands as a distinguished Ivy League research university, renowned for its unwavering commitment to undergraduate education, vibrant Greek culture, and cherished campus traditions. Though it has evolved into a research institution, it proudly retains "Dartmouth College" in its name, emphasizing its deep focus on the undergraduate experience. Situated on a scenic 269-acre campus in rural Hanover, New Hampshire, Dartmouth offers a unique college town experience in the Upper Valley region.
Established in 1769 by Eleazar Wheelock, Dartmouth holds the unique distinction of being one of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution. Its early history saw an original intent to educate Native Americans, a purpose that evolved as the institution grew. It gained national prominence at the turn of the 20th century and played a pivotal role in a landmark Supreme Court case in 1819, solidifying its private status. In a significant shift, Dartmouth became fully co-educational in 1972, further expanding its student body while maintaining its close-knit community feel.
Academically, Dartmouth offers a robust liberal arts curriculum across 40 departments and interdisciplinary programs, with 60 majors spanning the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. Students can pursue specialized concentrations or dual degree programs. Beyond its strong undergraduate faculty, Dartmouth boasts four esteemed professional and graduate schools: the Geisel School of Medicine, the Thayer School of Engineering, the Tuck School of Business, and the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, providing diverse advanced study opportunities.
With approximately 6,700 students, Dartmouth is the smallest of the Ivy League universities, fostering a close-knit community. Undergraduate admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of just 5.3% for the class of 2028. The university operates on a distinctive year-round quarter system, providing flexibility for its academic terms. Students can immerse themselves in 34 varsity sports teams competing in the NCAA Division I Ivy League, and benefit from extensive mental health and wellness support.
Key Highlights
- ✦One of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution and a member of the prestigious Ivy League.
- ✦Maintains a strong undergraduate focus, proudly retaining "Dartmouth College" in its name despite being a research university.
- ✦Achieved a highly selective undergraduate acceptance rate of 5.3% for the class of 2028.
- ✦Fosters a close-knit community as the smallest Ivy League institution, with approximately 6,700 students.
- ✦Historically significant as the subject of the 1819 Dartmouth College case and considered the founding event of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in 1956.
- ✦Boasts an influential alumni network including 3 Nobel Prize laureates, 2 U.S. Supreme Court justices, a U.S. Vice President, 10 current CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, and 51 Olympic medalists.
- ✦Supported by a substantial endowment of $9 billion (2025).
Timeline
Schools & Colleges
4 notable schools within Dartmouth College
Geisel School of Medicine
One of Dartmouth's four professional and graduate schools, focusing on medical education and research.
Thayer School of Engineering
One of Dartmouth's four professional and graduate schools, offering education in various engineering disciplines.
Tuck School of Business
One of Dartmouth's four professional and graduate schools, providing graduate-level business education.
Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies
One of Dartmouth's four professional and graduate schools, overseeing diverse graduate and advanced study programs.
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