Swarthmore vs. Rice

Swarthmore College and Rice University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Swarthmore College
Rice University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Swarthmore (7.5% admitted vs 8%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1540.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $22,469 at Swarthmore vs $23,589 at Rice. Swarthmore in-state tuition is about $1,350 more per year.
  • Graduation: Swarthmore 95% vs Rice 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Swarthmore $65,800 vs Rice $86,400 (median).
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Key differences

Swarthmore College Rice University
Acceptance rate
Swarthmore more selective
Swarthmore7.5%
Rice8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Rice higher
Swarthmore1490-1560
Rice1510-1570
Average net price
About even
Swarthmore$22,469
Rice$23,589
In-state tuition
Rice $1,350 less
Swarthmore$65,494
Rice$64,144
Out-of-state tuition
Rice $1,350 less
Swarthmore$65,494
Rice$64,144
Graduation rate
Swarthmore +3 pts
Swarthmore95%
Rice92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Rice +$20,600
Swarthmore$65,800
Rice$86,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Swarthmore 13,065
  • Rice 32,473
  • Admitted
  • Swarthmore 975
  • Rice 2,597
  • Acceptance rate
  • Swarthmore 7.5%
  • Rice 8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Swarthmore 43.8%
  • Rice 44.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Swarthmore 1530
  • Rice 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Swarthmore 34
  • Rice 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Swarthmore 3.9
  • Rice 3.96
  • Typical high school grades
  • Swarthmore A
  • Rice A
  • Admissions standards
  • Swarthmore Elite
  • Rice Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Swarthmore Extreme
  • Rice Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Swarthmore 1490-1560
  • Rice 1510-1570
  • ACT range
  • Swarthmore 33-35
  • Rice 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Swarthmore Test optional
  • Rice Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027
  • Rice Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Rice $64,144
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Rice $64,144
  • Room & board
  • Swarthmore $20,308
  • Rice $18,100
  • Average net price
  • Swarthmore $22,469
  • Rice $23,589
  • Average grant aid
  • Swarthmore $61,634
  • Rice $56,199
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Swarthmore 57%
  • Rice 56%
  • Graduation rate
  • Swarthmore 95%
  • Rice 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Swarthmore $65,800
  • Rice $86,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Swarthmore 87%
  • Rice 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Swarthmore $19,500
  • Rice $10,227
  • Median loan payment
  • Swarthmore $201
  • Rice $105
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Swarthmore 7:1
  • Rice 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Swarthmore
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Rice
    • Social Sciences (18%)
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • Swarthmore Swarthmore, PA
  • Rice Houston, TX
  • Setting
  • Swarthmore Large Suburban
  • Rice Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Swarthmore 1,623
  • Rice 8,961
  • Type
  • Swarthmore Private 4 Year
  • Rice Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Swarthmore #40
  • Rice #9

Comparable Facts

Compare Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA with Rice University in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Rice University is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (8,961 students vs. 1,623 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Swarthmore College is located in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting); Rice University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
  • Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Swarthmore College 7:1; Rice University 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 10.9% lower than at Swarthmore College ($18,100 vs. $20,308).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at Swarthmore than at Rice University (about $1,350 more per year; $65,494 vs. $64,144).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Swarthmore College than at Rice University (57% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 9.7% larger than aid received by Rice University students ($61,634 vs. $56,199).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Swarthmore students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Rice (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Swarthmore and Rice.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Rice average a 3.96 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Swarthmore (3.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.8% at Swarthmore vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $9,273 lower median loan debt than Swarthmore graduates ($10,227 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Swarthmore graduates ($105 vs. $201).
  • More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rice students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 87%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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