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College Comparison

University of Rochester 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 Rochester

Rochester, NY

School

Swarthmore College

Swarthmore, PA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricU of RochesterSwarthmore
Acceptance Rate35.9%6.9%wins
SAT Range (25th–75th)1400–15401460–1560wins
ACT Range (25th–75th)31–3433–34wins
Tuition (Out-of-State)$64,348$62,412wins
Avg Net Price$30,248$18,686wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$79,042$80,257wins
Graduation Rate84.5%94.1%wins
Retention Rate92.5%97.2%wins
Student–Faculty Ratio9:18:1wins
Total Enrollment6,488wins1,627

Verdict

Based on the data above, Swarthmore edges out U of Rochester 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.

U of Rochester Strengths

  • Total Enrollment: 6,488

Swarthmore Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 6.9%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1460–1560
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 33–34
  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $62,412

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