Is Northwestern or Dartmouth better for studying computer science?

The biggest practical tradeoff is Northwestern’s larger, Chicago-area research and industry ecosystem versus Dartmouth’s smaller, more intimate undergraduate environment in Hanover. Northwestern offers computer science through both the McCormick School of Engineering and the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, giving students meaningful flexibility in how technical or interdisciplinary they want their program to be. Dartmouth’s CS program is smaller and closely tied to its liberal arts setting, which can make faculty access, seminar-style learning, and undergraduate participation in research feel especially central.

Academically, Northwestern has more breadth for a student who expects to explore computer science alongside fields such as electrical engineering, data science, cognitive science, design, or business-related coursework. Its research profile is especially appealing for students drawn to areas such as AI, human-computer interaction, systems, robotics, and computational applications across other disciplines. Evanston’s location also makes it easier to pursue internships, academic-year opportunities, and events connected to Chicago’s tech, startup, consulting, and corporate communities.

Dartmouth is compelling for students who want CS in a highly collaborative residential college experience. Its quarter-based D-Plan can create unusual scheduling flexibility for off-campus internships or research terms, though students need to plan their course sequence carefully. The department’s scale can be an advantage: motivated undergraduates may find it easier to build sustained relationships with professors and take on meaningful project or research responsibilities earlier.

For the stronger overall undergraduate CS experience for most students seeking course breadth, interdisciplinary engineering options, and access to an urban tech market, Northwestern has the edge. Dartmouth can be the more rewarding choice for someone who values a tight-knit campus, close faculty mentorship, and the freedom to shape internships around the D-Plan.