College Comparison
RPI 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
RPI
Troy, NY
School
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | RPI | Swarthmore |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 58.5% | 6.9%wins |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1330–1500 | 1460–1560wins |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 30–34 | 33–34wins |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $61,884wins | $62,412 |
| Avg Net Price | $33,139 | $18,686wins |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $102,051wins | $80,257 |
| Graduation Rate | 83.2% | 94.1%wins |
| Retention Rate | 88.7% | 97.2%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 14:1 | 8:1wins |
| Total Enrollment | 5,909wins | 1,627 |
Verdict
Based on the data above, Swarthmore edges out RPI 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.
RPI Strengths
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $61,884
- ✓Median Earnings (10 yr): $102,051
- ✓Total Enrollment: 5,909
Swarthmore Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 6.9%
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1460–1560
- ✓ACT Range (25th–75th): 33–34
- ✓Avg Net Price: $18,686
Want a deeper comparison?
Our interactive compare tool lets you add more schools, filter by major, and see financial aid breakdowns by income level.