College Comparison
University of Maryland 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
University of Maryland
College Park, MD
School
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | University of Maryland | Swarthmore |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 44.8% | 6.9%wins |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1370–1520 | 1460–1560wins |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 32–35 | 33–34wins |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $40,306wins | $62,412 |
| Avg Net Price | $15,590wins | $18,686 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $82,860wins | $80,257 |
| Graduation Rate | 88.6% | 94.1%wins |
| Retention Rate | 95.7% | 97.2%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 8:1wins |
| Total Enrollment | 30,246wins | 1,627 |
Verdict
Based on the data above, Swarthmore edges out University of Maryland on 6 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.
University of Maryland Strengths
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $40,306
- ✓Avg Net Price: $15,590
- ✓Median Earnings (10 yr): $82,860
- ✓Total Enrollment: 30,246
Swarthmore Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 6.9%
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1460–1560
- ✓ACT Range (25th–75th): 33–34
- ✓Graduation Rate: 94.1%
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