Carnegie Mellon University vs Swarthmore College
Put any two U.S. colleges side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes — all factual U.S. College Scorecard data. Your real odds and net price depend on your profile, so take the free Matchmaker to see them.
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Swarthmore, PA
Acceptance rate
12%
7%
Admissions
GPA range
3.53–4
3.54–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1500–1570
1490–1560
ACT (middle 50%)
34–35
33–35
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$31,944
$23,149
Full cost / yr
$83,654
$84,103
Outcomes
Graduation rate
93%
93%
Freshman retention
98%
94%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$105,360
$56,211
Median earnings (10 yr)
$114,862
$80,257
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1, 2026
Nov 15, 2026
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 5, 2027
Jan 4
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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