College Comparison
University of Notre Dame 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
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN
School
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | Notre Dame | Swarthmore |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 12.4% | 6.9%wins |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1440–1540 | 1460–1560wins |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 33–35 | 33–34 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $62,693 | $62,412wins |
| Avg Net Price | $27,823 | $18,686wins |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $99,980wins | $80,257 |
| Graduation Rate | 96.8%wins | 94.1% |
| Retention Rate | 98.2%wins | 97.2% |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 9:1 | 8:1wins |
| Total Enrollment | 8,923wins | 1,627 |
Verdict
Based on the data above, Swarthmore edges out Notre Dame 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.
Notre Dame Strengths
- ✓Median Earnings (10 yr): $99,980
- ✓Graduation Rate: 96.8%
- ✓Retention Rate: 98.2%
- ✓Total Enrollment: 8,923
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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