Swarthmore vs Carnegie Mellon

Swarthmore is harder to get into (7.5% vs 11% admitted), and students with aid paid less there on average: $17,392 vs $35,780 a year. For fall 2027, Swarthmore doesn't need the SAT or ACT; Carnegie Mellon requires scores from some applicants. Swarthmore is due first, on Nov 15.

Highlighted = the better number: lower price or debt, higher rate or pay.

Swarthmore College Carnegie Mellon University

Getting in
Measure	Swarthmore College	Carnegie Mellon University
Admit rate	7.5%	11%
SAT, enrolled first-years (middle 50%)	1480–1550	1500–1560
ACT, enrolled first-years (middle 50%)	33–35	34–36
SAT or ACT for fall 2027	Optional	Required for some
Next deadline	Early decision: Nov 15	Regular decision: Jan 4

Cost
Measure	Swarthmore College	Carnegie Mellon University
Sticker price per year	$88,696	$86,759
Average paid after grants	$17,392	$35,780

What families with aid paid, by income
Measure	Swarthmore College	Carnegie Mellon University
Under $30,000	$6,966	$14,468
$30,000–$48,000	$7,978	$4,293
$48,000–$75,000	$18,171	$17,816
$75,000–$110,000	$14,741	$24,455
Over $110,000	$50,329	$56,003

After you start
Measure	Swarthmore College	Carnegie Mellon University
Undergrads	1,613	7,304
Graduate within 6 years	94%	93%
Come back for year two	94%	98%
Median earnings 10 years after starting	$86,311	$125,257
Median debt at graduation	$15,000	$19,000

Highlighted only when the gap is at least 5%. "Average paid" is what students who got federal aid paid per year after grants, not a price quote. How we get our numbers

See Swarthmore See Carnegie Mellon