College Comparison
WashU (St. Louis) 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
WashU (St. Louis)
St. Louis, MO
School
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | WashU | Swarthmore |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 12.0% | 6.9%wins |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1500–1570wins | 1460–1560 |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 33–35 | 33–34 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $62,982 | $62,412wins |
| Avg Net Price | $22,117 | $18,686wins |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $86,182wins | $80,257 |
| Graduation Rate | 94.5%wins | 94.1% |
| Retention Rate | 95.9% | 97.2%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 7:1wins | 8:1 |
| Total Enrollment | 7,897wins | 1,627 |
Verdict
Based on the data above, WashU edges out Swarthmore 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.
WashU Strengths
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1500–1570
- ✓Median Earnings (10 yr): $86,182
- ✓Graduation Rate: 94.5%
- ✓Student–Faculty Ratio: 7:1
Swarthmore Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 6.9%
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $62,412
- ✓Avg Net Price: $18,686
- ✓Retention Rate: 97.2%
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