College Comparison
Rutgers 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
Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJ
School
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | Rutgers | Swarthmore |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 65.3% | 6.9%wins |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1270–1480 | 1460–1560wins |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 28–33 | 33–34wins |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $36,001wins | $62,412 |
| Avg Net Price | $23,519 | $18,686wins |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $74,479 | $80,257wins |
| Graduation Rate | 85.0% | 94.1%wins |
| Retention Rate | 92.6% | 97.2%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 15:1 | 8:1wins |
| Total Enrollment | 36,357wins | 1,627 |
Verdict
Based on the data above, Swarthmore edges out Rutgers 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.
Rutgers Strengths
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $36,001
- ✓Total Enrollment: 36,357
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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