College Comparison
UC Berkeley vs Swarthmore College: Which is Better?
Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.
School
UC Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
School
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | UC Berkeley | Swarthmore |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 11.7% | 6.9%wins |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | N/A | 1460–1560wins |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | N/A | 33–34 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $45,627wins | $62,412 |
| Avg Net Price | $14,979wins | $18,686 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $92,446wins | $80,257 |
| Graduation Rate | 92.9% | 94.1%wins |
| Retention Rate | 96.8% | 97.2%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 8:1wins |
| Total Enrollment | 33,073wins | 1,627 |
Verdict
Based on the data above, Swarthmore edges out UC Berkeley on 5 of 9 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.
UC Berkeley Strengths
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $45,627
- ✓Avg Net Price: $14,979
- ✓Median Earnings (10 yr): $92,446
- ✓Total Enrollment: 33,073
Swarthmore Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 6.9%
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1460–1560
- ✓Graduation Rate: 94.1%
- ✓Retention Rate: 97.2%
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