Carnegie Mellon vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

Compare Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA with Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carnegie Mellon University 5:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carnegie Mellon or Swarthmore? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Swarthmore College than Carnegie Mellon ($22,469 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carnegie Mellon University are 10.5% lower than at Swarthmore College ($18,166 vs. $20,308).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $752 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Swarthmore College (about $752 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Swarthmore College than at Carnegie Mellon University (57% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 28.1% larger than aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students ($61,634 vs. $48,107).

Carnegie Mellon vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carnegie Mellon or Swarthmore? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Swarthmore and Carnegie Mellon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 10 points higher than at Swarthmore (1530).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Swarthmore (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 34/35; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carnegie Mellon - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Carnegie Mellon (3.89).
• Carnegie Mellon has a higher acceptance rate (11.7%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carnegie Mellon and Swarthmore? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Swarthmore College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Carnegie Mellon University's (87%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $36,900 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $6,750 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($201 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Swarthmore students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 87%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.