College Comparison
Rice 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
Rice University
Houston, TX
School
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | Rice | Swarthmore |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 7.9% | 6.9%wins |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1500–1570wins | 1460–1560 |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 34–36wins | 33–34 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $58,128wins | $62,412 |
| Avg Net Price | $12,640wins | $18,686 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $89,718wins | $80,257 |
| Graduation Rate | 95.7%wins | 94.1% |
| Retention Rate | 97.6%wins | 97.2% |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 6:1wins | 8:1 |
| Total Enrollment | 4,562wins | 1,627 |
Verdict
Based on the data above, Rice edges out Swarthmore on 9 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.
Rice Strengths
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1500–1570
- ✓ACT Range (25th–75th): 34–36
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $58,128
- ✓Avg Net Price: $12,640
Swarthmore Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 6.9%
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