Malbim: They were equal in Chochmah, for all of them separated from forbidden foods. Daniel merited Ru'ach Elokim due to his Mesiras Nefesh (refer to 1:8:2:1).
Sanhedrin 94a says that Daniel was not a Navi! However, Rashi there says that these words are not in most texts. (PF)
2)
How was Daniel able to interpret dreams?
1.
Malbim: Some explain dreams based on ability to estimate. They do not understand all dreams. Daniel understood via Ru'ach ha'Kodesh, therefore he understood all dreams, and totally. Also Yosef had this attribute. A dream is without a vision; Chazon is seeing a vision, e.g. Nebuchadnetzar's image, and it can be while awake.
