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College Comparison

Ohio State 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

Ohio State University

Columbus, OH

School

Swarthmore College

Swarthmore, PA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricOhio StateSwarthmore
Acceptance Rate50.8%6.9%wins
SAT Range (25th–75th)1330–14801460–1560wins
ACT Range (25th–75th)29–3233–34wins
Tuition (Out-of-State)$38,365wins$62,412
Avg Net Price$18,292wins$18,686
Median Earnings (10 yr)$60,409$80,257wins
Graduation Rate87.7%94.1%wins
Retention Rate94.1%97.2%wins
Student–Faculty Ratio18:18:1wins
Total Enrollment44,617wins1,627

Verdict

Based on the data above, Swarthmore edges out Ohio State on 7 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.

Ohio State Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $38,365
  • Avg Net Price: $18,292
  • Total Enrollment: 44,617

Swarthmore Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 6.9%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1460–1560
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 33–34
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $80,257

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