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College Comparison

Swarthmore College vs Auburn University: 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

Auburn University

Auburn, AL

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricSwarthmoreAuburn
Acceptance Rate6.9%wins50.5%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1460–1560wins1240–1380
ACT Range (25th–75th)33–34wins25–31
Tuition (Out-of-State)$62,412$33,944wins
Avg Net Price$18,686wins$23,897
Median Earnings (10 yr)$80,257wins$65,337
Graduation Rate94.1%wins79.2%
Retention Rate97.2%wins93.2%
Student–Faculty Ratio8:1wins21:1
Total Enrollment1,62725,732wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, Swarthmore edges out Auburn 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.

Swarthmore Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 6.9%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1460–1560
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 33–34
  • Avg Net Price: $18,686

Auburn Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $33,944
  • Total Enrollment: 25,732

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