Swarthmore College
About Swarthmore College
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Swarthmore College is a private liberal arts college in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. One of the most selective in the nation with a 7% acceptance rate, it offers programs in economics, computer science, engineering, and political science, with a 94% graduation rate.
Founded
1864
Location
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Students
1,613
Institution
Private
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
7.5%
Highly selective
Graduation Rate
92.3%
Above national average
Tuition
$65,494
Per year
Avg Net Price
$23,149
After financial aid
SAT Average
1534
Out of 1600
Median Earnings
$80,257
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Most Selective
Only 7.5 out of 100 applicants are accepted
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Optional
Application Fee
$60
Early
Nov 15
Regular
Jan 4
With a 7.5% acceptance rate and an average SAT of 1534, Swarthmore College is among the most selective schools in the country. Every part of your application needs to stand out.
SAT Scores
1534/ 1600
ACT Scores
34/ 36
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Excellent
92.3% complete their degree within six years
Retention
94%
4-Year Grad
87%
6-Year Grad
94%
Teaching Quality
8:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
93.7%
$/Student
$47.0K
Class Size
Small
87% of students graduate on time, and with a 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio, it's clear students get the personal attention they need to succeed.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$65,494
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$20,308
Books & Supplies
$760
Total Cost of Attendance
$84,103
After Financial Aid
$23,149
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$7,690
Receive Grants
19.5%
Take Loans
10.6%
Don't let the $65,494 sticker price scare you. Most students pay around $23,149 after financial aid, a 65% discount. Families earning under $30K pay closer to $7,690.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Swarthmore College fund their education.
While in School
19.5%
Get Grants
Free money
10.6%
Take Loans
Must repay
$48,016
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$17,500
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$186/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
Only 10.6% of students take out federal loans, and those who do graduate with a median of $17,500. Many students here manage to minimize borrowing.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Swarthmore College.
Gender
52.1%
Female
48%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
1,613
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
N/A
Graduates
26.9%
First-Gen
19 yrs
Avg Age
0.6%
Age 25+
The campus has a balanced gender split (52% women, 48% men). 26.9% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience. 13.4% international students bring global perspectives to campus life.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
Suburb: Large
Campus Quick Facts
1,613
Students
private
Institution
Small
Campus Size
Liberal Arts
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
No
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
No
Evening College
No
Online Programs
No
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Swarthmore College fields 12 varsity teams with 579 student athletes, about 36% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division III without football
Conference
Centennial
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
12
Biggest: Track & Cross Country
Student Athletes
579
36% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
52% / 48%
301
Men
278
Women
8
Men's Teams
10
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Swarthmore Collegeearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$80,257
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Economics
$77K
76 grads
1yr Earnings
Computer and Information Sciences, General
$104K
73 grads
1yr Earnings
Mathematics
$73K
49 grads
1yr Earnings
Political Science and Government
$40K
37 grads
1yr Earnings
Engineering, General
$79K
33 grads
4yr Earnings
Research and Experimental Psychology
—
29 grads
Graduates start at $56K six years out, climb to $57K by year eight, and reach $80K by year ten. That upward trajectory shows the degree keeps paying off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Swarthmore College
What is the acceptance rate at Swarthmore College?▾
How much does Swarthmore College cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Swarthmore College?▾
How much do Swarthmore College graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.