College Comparison
Penn State 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
Penn State
University Park, PA
School
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | Penn State | Swarthmore |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 54.2% | 6.9%wins |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1220–1400 | 1460–1560wins |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 27–32 | 33–34wins |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $40,188wins | $62,412 |
| Avg Net Price | $32,598 | $18,686wins |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $63,435 | $80,257wins |
| Graduation Rate | 85.7% | 94.1%wins |
| Retention Rate | 92.0% | 97.2%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 15:1 | 8:1wins |
| Total Enrollment | 41,862wins | 1,627 |
Verdict
Based on the data above, Swarthmore edges out Penn State 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.
Penn State Strengths
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $40,188
- ✓Total Enrollment: 41,862
Swarthmore Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 6.9%
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1460–1560
- ✓ACT Range (25th–75th): 33–34
- ✓Avg Net Price: $18,686
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