College Comparison
Boston University 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 University
Boston, MA
School
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | Boston University | Swarthmore |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 10.8% | 6.9%wins |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1400–1520 | 1460–1560wins |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 32–34 | 33–34wins |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $65,168 | $62,412wins |
| Avg Net Price | $26,996 | $18,686wins |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $83,238wins | $80,257 |
| Graduation Rate | 90.0% | 94.1%wins |
| Retention Rate | 94.5% | 97.2%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 10:1 | 8:1wins |
| Total Enrollment | 17,850wins | 1,627 |
Verdict
Based on the data above, Swarthmore edges out Boston University on 8 of 10 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 University Strengths
- ✓Median Earnings (10 yr): $83,238
- ✓Total Enrollment: 17,850
Swarthmore Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 6.9%
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1460–1560
- ✓ACT Range (25th–75th): 33–34
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $62,412
Want a deeper comparison?
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