<p>The feeder rankings (WSJ) are actually more valid than you think, as it uses 15 schools and proportions, you’ll see to professional schools Dartmouth fairs much better than NU</p>
<p>However, this can be because more Dmouth kids aim for professional school right of the bat, but I mean Dartmouth does very stronlgy in it regardless.</p>
<p>Dartmouth’s student body is also stronger based on SAT scores and class rank. On the US News ranking its above, and on a number of rankings (Carnegie, WSJ rankings, Laissez Faire) it does better. However, I think the best rankings are the US News, THES, Carnegie (for prestige) and WSJ Rankings. NU wins in THES and I think Carnegie, whereas Dartmouth wins in US News and WSJ. </p>
<p>If you are going into undergrad already aiming for grad school in Econ, I’d look closely at the specific departments and for courses, as well as requirements for a degree and professors in your areas of interests. Because NU is much bigger and has a great grad program that would make NU the better choice solely for trying to get good grad school preparation.</p>
<p>If you are looking for just the best overall school academically, and would be happy doing Econ at either Dmouth or NU and just want the strongest student body surrounding you, I’d go Dartmouth. Same with going to professional school (suppose you want biz school instead of grad school). </p>
<p>If you need a specific type of social life, Dartmouth has more drinking and is less intertwined in the city. NU is more quirky and doesn’t seem to booze as hard. Also, its not as isolated. So I can’t say which one of these would be better for that, as every school is unique.</p>