College Comparison
UCLA 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
UCLA
Los Angeles, CA
School
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | UCLA | Swarthmore |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 8.7% | 6.9%wins |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | N/A | 1460–1560wins |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | N/A | 33–34 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $44,524wins | $62,412 |
| Avg Net Price | $14,013wins | $18,686 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $82,511wins | $80,257 |
| Graduation Rate | 92.7% | 94.1%wins |
| Retention Rate | 96.8% | 97.2%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 8:1wins |
| Total Enrollment | 33,040wins | 1,627 |
Verdict
Based on the data above, Swarthmore edges out UCLA on 5 of 9 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.
UCLA Strengths
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $44,524
- ✓Avg Net Price: $14,013
- ✓Median Earnings (10 yr): $82,511
- ✓Total Enrollment: 33,040
Swarthmore Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 6.9%
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1460–1560
- ✓Graduation Rate: 94.1%
- ✓Retention Rate: 97.2%
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