College Comparison
Swarthmore College vs University of South Carolina-Columbia: 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
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, SC
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | Swarthmore | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 6.9%wins | 61.5% |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1460–1560wins | 1180–1380 |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 33–34wins | 26–32 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $62,412 | $34,934wins |
| Avg Net Price | $18,686wins | $24,532 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $80,257wins | $62,177 |
| Graduation Rate | 94.1%wins | 77.8% |
| Retention Rate | 97.2%wins | 90.7% |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 8:1wins | 18:1 |
| Total Enrollment | 1,627 | 28,113wins |
Verdict
Based on the data above, Swarthmore edges out South Carolina 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
South Carolina Strengths
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $34,934
- ✓Total Enrollment: 28,113
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