Overview
Swarthmore College is a private liberal arts institution in Pennsylvania that was founded in 1864. The college was founded by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and its "most selective" admissions process is also need-blind. The 425-acre arboretum campus is just 11 miles south of Philadelphia and hosts more than 600 courses for students to take. The Honors Program at Swarthmore is unique to the US, modeled off of Oxford's tutorial system, and features small seminar classes where every student is given the chance to speak and lead.
Acceptance Rate:
7%
Average Net Price:
$20,360
Campus Setting:
Suburb or town
Average GPA
4.0
Average ACT Composite
34
Average SAT Composite
1469
Tuition, Cost & Aid
Affordability & Cost
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $62,412 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $62,412 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $18,964 |
| Books and Supplies | $760 |
Average Net Price By Family Income
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]
Aid & Grants
0
100
100%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
19%
Average Aid Per Year
$47,703
19%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,021
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$52,904
Students receiving state aid Students receiving federal aid
2%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$4015
44%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,021
Average Grant & Scholarship By Family Income
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$54,503,624
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$2,598,145
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
9%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$7,705
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$15,000
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$188
Students receiving federal loans
7%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$4,766
Average Other Loans Per Year
$20,461
Admissions
Key Admissions Stats
Institution Type
Private
- Not for Profit
- Coed
Need Blind
This school does not consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission
Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Suburb or town
14707
Students Applied
19%
Transfer Acceptance Rate
15
Transfer Students Admitted
Admissions Requirements
SAT
No
ACT
No
Transcript
Yes
Test Optional
Yes
SAT Subject Tests
Yes
AP Course Credit
Yes
Dual Enrollment
No
Important Deadlines
| Application Type | Application Deadline | Reply Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision Acceptance is binding so student must attend college if accepted. | November 15 | |
| Fall Regular Decision | January 4 | |
| Other | January 1 |
Application Fee
$60
Fee waivers availableApplications Accepted
Admitted Student Stats
19%
Submitting ACT
42%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 34
Average SAT Composite: 1469
SAT Percentiles
Math
Reading
4.0
Average GPA
Students Enrolled By Class Rank
Admissions Resources
For International Student Services: visit page
For Students with Disabilities: visit page
For Veteran Services: visit page
Academics
Key Academic Stats
Highest Degree Offered
Bachelor's
Total Number of Students
1,625
Total Number of Undergrads
1,625
0
100
91%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
97%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
8:1
US National: 21:1Non Traditional Learning
- Combined Institution Double Degree Programs
Learning Options
- Study Abroad
- Honors Program
- Teacher Certification Offered
Classroom Sizes
Degrees and Majors
MAJORS
91
Faculty Overview
0
100
98%
Faculty With Terminal Degree US National: 36%
Gender
Ethnicity
Campus Life
Key Campus Stats
Student Gender
Residency
Size of Town
Suburb or town
US States Represented
49
Countries Represented
53
Ethnicity
Percent of First Generation Students
27%
Student Organizations
150
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
Yes
Cultural Student Resource Groups
Yes
Housing
0
100
96%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
Yes
Disability Housing Available
Yes
0
100
95%
Freshman Living on Campus
Athletics
Divisional Sports Nickname
The Garnet
School Colors
gray and white
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Not applicable
Total Male Athletes
255
Total Female Athletes
271
Intramural Sports
13
Sports Club
1
Sports Team (Men)
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track and Field
Sports Team (Women)
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Field Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
- Badminton
Swarthmore College Athletics: visit page
Campus Safety
24-HR security patrol
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Yes
24-HR escort safety rides
Yes
Mobile campus emergency alert
No
After Graduation
Post Grad Stats
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$70,000
Top 5 Cities
New York
Philadelphia
San Francisco
Washington
Boston
Top 5 Employers
Swarthmore College
University of Pennsylvania
Amazon
University of Chicago
Harvard University
Top 5 Sectors
Education
Business Development
Research
Media and Communications
Community and Social Services
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$15,000
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$188
REVIEWS
Read What Students Are SayingSwarthmore is one of the toughest colleges in the country, but it pays off. Aside from major intro classes like Psch 1 and Bio 1&2, class sizes are very small. Professors are brilliant and AVAILABLE--unlike profs at huge research universities, they only teach undergrad and therefore have time and patience for undergrads.
DO: Take advantage of the Writing Associates, your professors and advisor, and first-year seminars.
DON'T: Underestimate the amount of work you'll be doing.
DO: Take advantage of the Writing Associates, your professors and advisor, and first-year seminars.
DON'T: Underestimate the amount of work you'll be doing.
Some Swattie
Swarthmore is known for being one of the most academically rigorous college in the country. This is true but studying what one is truly interested in and passionate about makes the heavy reading and problem sets worth while.
NY
Swarthmore is a great place to pursue your academic passions and push yourself to realize your full potential. It's not for everyone; the academics can be pretty intense, depending on your major and if you choose to enter the Honors Program, and the social scene can be subdued compared to other colleges.
Sarah from Wynnewood, PA
Swarthmore challenges me every day to be my best, and to learn for the sake of learning rather than going through the motions to get the best GPA possible. In just one year, I have been exposed to so many interesting and informative people and experiences that I will remember for my entire life. The collaborative learning environment encourages not only learning in the classroom, but also through interactions with peers, and creates a great place to live and learn.
Emily from Ellicott City, MD
Swarthmore is a small liberal arts school and is perfect for students who are interested in social justice and diversity. The faculty are very caring and reach out to students with opportunities and advice. Some things that students are working on to fix on campus is more awareness of social issues to create a conversation about creating a more accepting community.
Kelly from Los Angeles, CA
Swarthmore is challenging, beautiful, and has a very suburban liberal feel. The students are really all individuals, and it seems like you could find any type of person on campus. I feel like as long as you're dedicated and passionate about something, you'll fit right in.
High School Senior from Swarthmore
One of things I like most about Swarthmore is that sometimes you don't even realize just how much you are learning and not just in class. Hanging around all kinds of different people with different majors and interests means you'll pick up on a lot of new things.
Cally from North Potomac, MD
I felt that the academic rigor of Swarthmore is exactly the type for which I am looking. I love how Swarthmore aims to eliminate academic competition by making the first semester of freshman year all shadow grades.
Elizabeth
Workload is rigorous, but at the end of the day you'll learn so much. Most importantly are the students and the professors who make you feel welcome in every way. And lastly the campus is an arboretum so it is 10/10 beautiful!
N from Louisville, KY
Swarthmore's campus is absolutely breathtaking, and this is largely due to the fact that the campus itself is a registered arboretum.
The academics are really open for students to pursue their specific or interdisciplinary interests; for example, I am planning on majoring in a program that will allow me to study linguistics and two foreign languages (one ancient and one modern).
The school has recently declared itself dollar-free, meaning that laundry, printing, and even trips to UPenn and other nearby schools are either free or subsidized.
The academics are really open for students to pursue their specific or interdisciplinary interests; for example, I am planning on majoring in a program that will allow me to study linguistics and two foreign languages (one ancient and one modern).
The school has recently declared itself dollar-free, meaning that laundry, printing, and even trips to UPenn and other nearby schools are either free or subsidized.
Jacob from Wayne, MI
Similar Colleges
Philadelphia, PA
Providence, RI
Stanford, CA
New Haven, CT
Chicago, IL
Amherst, MA
Cambridge, MA
Williamstown, MA
Hanover, NH
Princeton, NJ
New York, NY
Ithaca, NY
