Carnegie Mellon University vs Swarthmore College
Carnegie Mellon University is a private university in Pittsburgh, PA. Swarthmore College is a private college in Swarthmore, PA. Swarthmore College admits about 7% of applicants and Carnegie Mellon University about 12%, making Swarthmore College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $23,149 a year at Swarthmore College after aid, and about $31,944 at Carnegie Mellon University. About 93% of students graduate at both. Ten years after enrolling, Carnegie Mellon University alumni earn a median of about $114,862, against $80,257 for Swarthmore College.
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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.
- Is Carnegie Mellon University or Swarthmore College harder to get into?
- Swarthmore College is harder to get into. It admits about 7% of applicants, compared with 12% at Carnegie Mellon University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Carnegie Mellon University or Swarthmore College?
- Swarthmore College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $23,149 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $31,944 at Carnegie Mellon University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Carnegie Mellon University and Swarthmore College?
- Before aid, Carnegie Mellon University costs about $83,654 a year and Swarthmore College about $84,103. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Carnegie Mellon University or Swarthmore College?
- Swarthmore College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,690 there, against about $9,097 at Carnegie Mellon University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Carnegie Mellon University or Swarthmore College?
- Carnegie Mellon University is the larger of the two, with about 7,304 undergraduates against 1,613 at Swarthmore College.
- Does Carnegie Mellon University or Swarthmore College have a better graduation rate?
- Both graduate about 93% of their students.
- Do graduates of Carnegie Mellon University or Swarthmore College earn more?
- Carnegie Mellon University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $114,862 ten years after enrolling, against about $80,257 for Swarthmore College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Carnegie Mellon University and Swarthmore College require SAT or ACT scores?
- Carnegie Mellon University considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. Swarthmore College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Carnegie Mellon University and Swarthmore College look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1500–1570 at Carnegie Mellon University and 1490–1560 at Swarthmore College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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