Head-to-Head Comparison
Duke University vs Swarthmore College
- Duke Wins
- 19
- Tied
- 20
- Swarthmore Wins
- 15
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Swarthmore College offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Duke University achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 93%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $29,612 compared to Swarthmore College's $23,149 for in-state paths. Students who choose Swarthmore College benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $80,257 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Duke
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $97,800 ten years after enrollment, 22% more than Swarthmore College
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $13,000, the lower of the two
Swarthmore
- Lower cost: Average net price of $23,149, roughly $6,463 a year less
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.3%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Duke graduates concentrate in Engineering (15% 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 Duke University over Swarthmore College. Median earnings of $97,800 ten years after enrollment vs $80,257.
Pick Swarthmore College over Duke University. Net price $23,149 vs $29,612.
Pick Swarthmore College over Duke University. 2.3% mobility rate vs 1.6%.
Pick Duke University over Swarthmore College. 96% completion rate vs 93%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Duke University and Swarthmore College are close on paper, but Duke University 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
Duke University is the harder admit. It takes 6% of applicants, while Swarthmore College takes 7%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,548 to 1,534.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Duke University 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 $6,463 a year below Duke University's $29,612. Graduates of Duke University also borrow less: median debt of $13,000, against $17,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $25,852 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, Duke University graduates report median earnings of $97,800, compared with $80,257 at Swarthmore College. That is a 22% advantage. Set against borrowing, Duke University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.13x to 0.22x.
So what: An earnings gap of 22% 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.
Finishing the degree
Duke University graduates a larger share of its students, 96% versus 93%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 3% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Swarthmore College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.3%; at Duke University, it is 1.6%. Swarthmore College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4.7% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Swarthmore 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 Duke University 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 $6,463 a year, yet Duke University graduates earn $17,543 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Duke University is harder to get into, with a 6% admit rate, but Swarthmore College posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.3%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Duke University concentrates enrollment in Engineering, while Swarthmore College leans toward Computer Science & IT. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $29,612 runs well above Swarthmore College's $23,149.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Duke University's enrollment, and Swarthmore College is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Duke University's enrollment of 6,442 far exceeds Swarthmore College's 1,613.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $17,500, against $13,000 at Duke University.
- Engineering-focused students: Duke University has the stronger engineering programs.
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
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Duke University
Durham, NC · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 6%, Duke University is a place where ambitious students thrive. It attracts those who are serious about their education and want to dive deep into areas like Social Sciences, Computer Science, Biology, Engineering, and Health Professions. The community here is vibrant, and students often find themselves surrounded by peers who share a passion for learning and a drive to make an impact.
Looking ahead to life after graduation, students from Duke can expect strong earning potential, with a median salary of $97,800 a decade after they leave. That’s a solid return on investment, especially considering the affordable nature of the education relative to earnings. Graduates tend to find good job opportunities, reflecting the high graduation rate of 96%. This means that most students not only complete their degrees but also enter the workforce prepared and competitive.
On the financial side, the net price for students, after aid, stands at $29,612, which is manageable given the earnings potential. The typical debt load is $13,000, which is relatively low and suggests that many students can graduate without being weighed down by heavy financial burdens. This creates an environment where motivated individuals can thrive, especially those who are eager to leverage their education into successful careers.
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
Duke University is featured on the Best Colleges in North Carolina ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Duke's top program is Mechanical Engineering (15% of enrollment), while Swarthmore leads with Sociology (25%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Duke) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Swarthmore).
The two schools feed different job markets. Duke University is strongest in Engineering, while Swarthmore College concentrates in 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 Duke University or Swarthmore College?
Duke University is harder to get into, admitting 6% of applicants compared with 7% at Swarthmore College.
Which is more affordable, Duke University or Swarthmore College?
Swarthmore College is more affordable, with an average net price of $23,149 after aid versus $29,612 at Duke University.
Do Duke University or Swarthmore College graduates earn more?
Duke University graduates earn more: median earnings of $97,800 ten years after enrollment, versus $80,257 at Swarthmore College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Duke University or Swarthmore College?
Duke University has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 93%.
Duke University vs Swarthmore College: which is better for social mobility?
Swarthmore College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.3% versus 1.6%.
Should you choose Duke University or Swarthmore College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Swarthmore College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Duke University 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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