Dartmouth College vs Plymouth State University: which has better ROI?
Dartmouth College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $118,076 in 2.4 years versus 8.6 years at Plymouth State University, on median earnings of $97,434 vs $57,304 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Dartmouth College | Plymouth State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $29,519 | $19,216 |
| Total net cost | $118,076 | $76,864 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $97,434 | $57,304 |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 2.4 yrs | 8.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $863,404 | $102,016 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Dartmouth College or Plymouth State University?
Plymouth State University, at $19,216 a year after aid versus $29,519 — a gap of $10,303 a year, or $41,212 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Dartmouth College or Plymouth State University graduates earn more?
Dartmouth College graduates report a median $97,434 ten years after entry, $40,130 more than the $57,304 at Plymouth State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Dartmouth College or Plymouth State University?
Dartmouth College: its completers carry a median $17,500 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Plymouth State University, a difference of $8,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
96% of students finish at Dartmouth College, against 52% at Plymouth State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.