College Comparison
University of Wisconsin-Madison 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 Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI
School
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | UW-Madison | Swarthmore |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 43.4% | 6.9%wins |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1360–1510 | 1460–1560wins |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 28–32 | 33–34wins |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $40,603wins | $62,412 |
| Avg Net Price | $16,928wins | $18,686 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $73,792 | $80,257wins |
| Graduation Rate | 89.3% | 94.1%wins |
| Retention Rate | 94.5% | 97.2%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 8:1wins |
| Total Enrollment | 35,665wins | 1,627 |
Verdict
Based on the data above, Swarthmore edges out UW-Madison 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.
UW-Madison Strengths
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $40,603
- ✓Avg Net Price: $16,928
- ✓Total Enrollment: 35,665
Swarthmore Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 6.9%
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1460–1560
- ✓ACT Range (25th–75th): 33–34
- ✓Median Earnings (10 yr): $80,257
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