Head-to-Head Comparison
Babson College vs Swarthmore College
- Babson Wins
- 15
- Tied
- 13
- Swarthmore Wins
- 22
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Swarthmore College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $23,149 vs Babson College's $40,514, Swarthmore College delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Swarthmore College's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Babson
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $123,938 ten years after enrollment, 54% more than Swarthmore College
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.8%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Swarthmore
- Lower cost: Average net price of $23,149, roughly $17,365 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $17,500, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 7% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Babson graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (100% of degrees); Swarthmore in Social Sciences (25%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Babson College over Swarthmore College. Median earnings of $123,938 ten years after enrollment vs $80,257.
Pick Swarthmore College over Babson College. Net price $23,149 vs $40,514.
Pick Babson College over Swarthmore College. 2.8% mobility rate vs 2.3%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Babson College and Swarthmore College are close on paper, but Swarthmore College wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Swarthmore College is the harder admit. It takes 7% of applicants, while Babson College takes 17%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,457 to 1,534.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Swarthmore College sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Swarthmore College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $23,149, about $17,365 a year below Babson College's $40,514. Graduates of Swarthmore College also borrow less: median debt of $17,500, against $20,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $69,460 before any change in aid. Choosing Swarthmore College leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Babson College graduates report median earnings of $123,938, compared with $80,257 at Swarthmore College. That is a 54% advantage. Set against borrowing, Babson College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.16x to 0.22x.
So what: An earnings gap of 54% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Moving people up
Babson College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.8%; at Swarthmore College, it is 2.3%. Swarthmore College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4.7% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 4.1%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Babson College offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Swarthmore College to keep costs and debt down; pick Babson College for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Swarthmore College saves about $17,365 a year, yet Babson College graduates earn $43,681 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Swarthmore College is harder to get into, with a 7% admit rate, but Babson College posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.8%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Babson College concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, while Swarthmore College leans toward Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT, Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $40,514 runs well above Swarthmore College's $23,149.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Babson College's enrollment, and Swarthmore College is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Babson College's enrollment of 2,728 far exceeds Swarthmore College's 1,613.
- Business and consulting-track students: Swarthmore College has less business program depth, and Babson College offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Babson College
Wellesley, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 17%, Babson College is a strong fit for students who are serious about pursuing a career in business and marketing. The intimate campus environment, home to around 2,728 students, fosters collaboration and networking among peers. Here, you’ll dive deep into practical studies that prepare you for real-world challenges, focusing on business principles and marketing strategies.
When we look at life after graduation, the numbers are promising. Graduates from Babson earn an impressive average of $123,938 within ten years of completing their degree. This figure reflects the college's focus on preparing students for high-earning roles in the competitive business landscape. It's worth noting that while the median debt stands at $20,000, this is manageable for the financial trajectory many graduates experience.
Cost is a crucial factor in choosing a college, and Babson's net price after aid is $40,514. This amount may seem high, but when considering the strong earning potential and the career opportunities that arise from a Babson education, many find it to be a worthwhile investment. Students who thrive here tend to be ambitious, driven, and ready to take on challenges in the business world.
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 7%, Swarthmore College is a great fit for students who are academically driven and ready to be challenged. The school attracts those who are passionate about their studies, especially in areas like Social Sciences, Computer Science and IT, Biology, and the Visual and Performing Arts. The strong emphasis on a well-rounded education means students here are not just focusing on their major but are encouraged to explore a variety of disciplines, which can lead to a richer college experience.
Looking ahead, graduates from Swarthmore can expect substantial earnings, with a median income of $80,257 ten years after they leave. This is a significant figure that reflects both the quality of education and the strong alumni network that can support career growth. The affordability aspect is also noteworthy; while college can be expensive, the net price after aid is about $23,149, which makes it more accessible for many families. This balance of cost and outcome is crucial for students considering their long-term financial futures.
In terms of financial health, students graduate with a median debt of $17,500, which is relatively manageable compared to other institutions. Those who thrive at Swarthmore tend to be self-motivated and engaged, finding ways to not only excel academically but also to make the most of the college experience through extracurricular activities and community involvement. This school cultivates a culture where hard work and curiosity can lead to both personal and professional success.
Rankings They Appear On
Babson College is featured on the Highest-Paying Colleges for Business ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Babson's top program is Business Administration (100% of enrollment), while Swarthmore leads with Sociology (25%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Babson) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Swarthmore).
The two schools feed different job markets. Babson College is strongest in Business & Marketing, while Swarthmore College concentrates in Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT, Biology & Biomedical, Mathematics & Statistics. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Babson College or Swarthmore College?
Swarthmore College is harder to get into, admitting 7% of applicants compared with 17% at Babson College.
Which is more affordable, Babson College or Swarthmore College?
Swarthmore College is more affordable, with an average net price of $23,149 after aid versus $40,514 at Babson College.
Do Babson College or Swarthmore College graduates earn more?
Babson College graduates earn more: median earnings of $123,938 ten years after enrollment, versus $80,257 at Swarthmore College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Babson College or Swarthmore College?
Swarthmore College has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 93%.
Babson College vs Swarthmore College: which is better for social mobility?
Babson College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.8% versus 2.3%.
Should you choose Babson College or Swarthmore College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Swarthmore College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Babson College if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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