College Comparison
Swarthmore College vs Amherst 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
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA
School
Amherst College
Amherst, MA
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | Swarthmore | Amherst |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 6.9%wins | 9.8% |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1460–1560wins | 1360–1550 |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 33–34wins | 31–35 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $62,412wins | $67,280 |
| Avg Net Price | $18,686 | $18,246wins |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $80,257wins | $77,644 |
| Graduation Rate | 94.1%wins | 93.4% |
| Retention Rate | 97.2%wins | 96.8% |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 8:1 | 7:1wins |
| Total Enrollment | 1,627 | 1,907wins |
Verdict
Based on the data above, Swarthmore edges out Amherst 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.
Swarthmore Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 6.9%
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1460–1560
- ✓ACT Range (25th–75th): 33–34
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $62,412
Amherst Strengths
- ✓Avg Net Price: $18,246
- ✓Student–Faculty Ratio: 7:1
- ✓Total Enrollment: 1,907
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