College Comparison
Boston College 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
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA
School
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | Boston College | Swarthmore |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 15.7% | 6.9%wins |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1430–1540 | 1460–1560wins |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 33–34 | 33–34 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $67,680 | $62,412wins |
| Avg Net Price | $39,866 | $18,686wins |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $103,937wins | $80,257 |
| Graduation Rate | 91.0% | 94.1%wins |
| Retention Rate | 95.4% | 97.2%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 13:1 | 8:1wins |
| Total Enrollment | 9,865wins | 1,627 |
Verdict
Based on the data above, Swarthmore edges out Boston College on 7 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.
Boston College Strengths
- ✓Median Earnings (10 yr): $103,937
- ✓Total Enrollment: 9,865
Swarthmore Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 6.9%
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1460–1560
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $62,412
- ✓Avg Net Price: $18,686
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