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College Comparison

Swarthmore College vs The University of Tennessee-Knoxville: 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

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricSwarthmoreTennessee
Acceptance Rate6.9%wins46.0%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1460–1560wins1190–1340
ACT Range (25th–75th)33–34wins25–31
Tuition (Out-of-State)$62,412$31,974wins
Avg Net Price$18,686$18,109wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$80,257wins$60,249
Graduation Rate94.1%wins73.5%
Retention Rate97.2%wins91.1%
Student–Faculty Ratio8:1wins18:1
Total Enrollment1,62728,763wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, Swarthmore edges out Tennessee 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
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $80,257

Tennessee Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $31,974
  • Avg Net Price: $18,109
  • Total Enrollment: 28,763

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