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Dartmouth College vs Saint Anselm College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Hanover NH · vs · Private nonprofit, Manchester NH

The verdict

Dartmouth College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $118,076 in 2.4 years versus 5.6 years at Saint Anselm College, on median earnings of $97,434 vs $73,371 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureDartmouth CollegeSaint Anselm College
Net price / yr$29,519$34,779
Total net cost$118,076$139,116
Median earnings, 10 yrs$97,434$73,371
Median debt$17,500$27,000
Payback2.4 yrs5.6 yrs
20-year net return$863,404$361,104

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Dartmouth College or Saint Anselm College?

Dartmouth College, at $29,519 a year after aid versus $34,779 — a gap of $5,260 a year, or $21,040 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 Saint Anselm College graduates earn more?

Dartmouth College graduates report a median $97,434 ten years after entry, $24,063 more than the $73,371 at Saint Anselm College. 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 Saint Anselm College?

Dartmouth College: its completers carry a median $17,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Saint Anselm College, a difference of $9,500. 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 80% at Saint Anselm College. 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.

Dartmouth College vs Saint Anselm College: frequently asked questions

Is Dartmouth College or Saint Anselm College a better value?
Dartmouth College. It clears its $118,076 net cost in about 2.4 years versus 5.6 years at Saint Anselm College, on median earnings of $97,434 vs $73,371 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Dartmouth College or Saint Anselm College?
Dartmouth College: $29,519/yr net price after aid versus $34,779/yr at Saint Anselm College — a difference of $5,260 a year, or about $21,040 over four years.
Do Dartmouth College or Saint Anselm College graduates earn more?
Dartmouth College graduates earn a median $97,434 ten years after entry, versus $73,371 at Saint Anselm College — a $24,063 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.