Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College is a private nonprofit university in Swarthmore, PA ranked #59 nationally by EDsmart, earning an overall grade of A, enrolling about 1,627 undergraduates, and with an acceptance rate near 6.9%. Students most often pursue Computer and Information Sciences and Mathematics.
Academically, students benefit from a 8:1 student-faculty ratio, 97.2% first-year retention, and 94.1% six-year graduation. Peer cohorts and advising networks provide scaffolding that keeps newcomers anchored during demanding semesters.
Families typically invest $18,686, about $1,688 more than the national median. EDsmart calculates return on investment at -24.8%, roughly 110.1 points below typical outcomes. Six years after enrolling, alumni report median earnings of $56,211. That's about $12,523 higher than national results. It's a compelling fit for ambitious students who thrive in an elite, research-powered setting and students looking for meaningful faculty access.
Who is Swarthmore College Best For?
A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.
EDsmart Scores Summary
Swarthmore College graduates 94.1% of students within six years and keeps 97.2% of first-year students. Affordability earns a B- compared with similar schools.
How we calculate this →Cost & Financial Aid
Quick Answers
The costs shown are averages. Use Swarthmore College's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.
Calculate Your Net Price →Total Degree Cost Summary
Annual Cost Comparison
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.
View cost of attendance line items
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $62,412 |
| Books and Supplies | $760 |
| On-Campus Room and Board | $18,964 |
| On-Campus Other Expenses | $1,967 |
| Total On-Campus Cost | $80,014 |
Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.
Students Receiving Aid
Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.
EDsmart Insight: About 20.0% of Swarthmore College students receive Pell Grants — below the national average, highlighting ongoing affordability priorities.
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after financial aid, based on family income. Your actual cost may vary depending on your specific financial situation.
Understanding These Numbers: Net price varies significantly by income level. Net prices range from $8,580 to $47,429 depending on family income. Use Swarthmore College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
If your family earns $75K-$110K: Expect to pay around $20,977/year
If your family earns $110K+: Expect to pay around $47,429/year
See all income brackets →ROI & Career Outcomes
- 6-Year Median Earnings $56,211
- 10-Year Median Earnings $56,211
- Average Years to Graduate 4.5 years
- Average Student Debt $13,000
- Repayment Rate (3yr) 86.4%
- Employment Rate 69.8%
Graduate Earnings Distribution
Earnings range for Swarthmore College graduates 6 years after enrollment, showing the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. This illustrates the variation in outcomes across different majors and career paths.
Swarthmore College vs. National Average
Comparison of key performance metrics showing how Swarthmore College's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes Swarthmore College's performance within the broader higher education landscape.
EDsmart Insight: While Swarthmore College graduates earn $56,211 median, the -24.8% ROI suggests the investment may take longer to pay off. Consider your major choice and career goals when evaluating value.
Acceptance & Selectivity
Getting In
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading 720-770
- SAT Math 740-790
- SAT Writing Not reported
- ACT Composite 33-34
- SAT & ACT Required
- Undergraduate Enrollment 1,627
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Retention Rate 97.2%
- Graduation Rate 94.1%
- Student-Faculty Ratio 8:1
How to Get Into Swarthmore College
1. Meet Academic Requirements: Swarthmore College requires strong academic performance. Aim for test scores within the reported ranges and maintain a competitive GPA. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class.
2. Build a Strong Application: Beyond test scores, focus on crafting compelling essays, securing strong letters of recommendation, and highlighting extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment.
3. Understand Selectivity: With an acceptance rate of 6.9%, Swarthmore College is extremely selective. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates.
4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.
Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.
EDsmart Insight: With a 6.9% acceptance rate, Swarthmore College is extremely selective. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their class. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1460 and 1560 on the SAT.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Program Distribution
Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among Swarthmore College undergraduates. Economics, Computer and Information Sciences, General, and Biology, General draw the most students.
- Economics 14.8%
- Computer and Information Sciences, General 11.4%
- Biology, General 6.9%
- Political Science and Government 6.9%
- Mathematics 6.2%
- Research and Experimental Psychology 5.8%
See more majors
- Engineering, General 4.2%
- Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution 4.0%
Highest Earning Programs
Median earnings five years after graduation for each program. These figures help illustrate ROI by field of study and degree level.
Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor's Degrees)
- 1. Computer and Information Sciences, General $153,172
- 2. Mathematics $143,223
- 3. Economics $136,021
Show additional high-earning majors
- 4. Political Science and Government $78,204
- 5. Biology, General $69,485
- 6. Education, Other $63,282
Program Choice Matters: Undergraduate: Computer and Information Sciences, General grads earn $153,172—142% more than Education, Other ($63,282). Your program and degree level choice significantly impact career earnings.
Online Degrees & Distance Learning
College Scorecard reports fully online programs for Swarthmore College. Below are the most popular options based on the number of recent graduates, followed by a quick look at the breadth of online offerings by degree level.
Source: U.S. Department of Education – College Scorecard
Most Popular Online Degrees
- Economics (Bachelor's Degree, 84 graduates)
- Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degree, 65 graduates)
- Biology, General (Bachelor's Degree, 39 graduates)
- Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degree, 39 graduates)
- Mathematics (Bachelor's Degree, 35 graduates)
What This School Offers Online, at a Glance
College Scorecard flags the following online degree and certificate programs for this institution. Expand each credential level to view the complete list of available subjects.
Online Bachelor's Degrees (66 programs)▼
- Economics
- Computer and Information Sciences, General
- Political Science and Government
- Biology, General
- Mathematics
- Research and Experimental Psychology
- Engineering, General
- Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research
- Education, Other
- History
- Fine and Studio Arts
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Neurobiology and Neurosciences
- English Language and Literature, General
- Physics
- Philosophy
- Cognitive Science
- Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
- Music
- Chemistry
- Religion/Religious Studies
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Social Sciences, Other
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
- Film/Video and Photographic Arts
- Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
- Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Area Studies
- Dance
- Classical and Ancient Studies
- Urban Studies/Affairs
- Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other
- Education, General
- Visual and Performing Arts, Other
- Sociology
- Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Public Policy Analysis
- Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other
- Psychology, Other
- Psychology, General
- Physical Sciences, Other
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
- Medieval and Renaissance Studies
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Literature
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- International Relations and National Security Studies
- Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
- English Language and Literature/Letters, Other
- Design and Applied Arts
- Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis
- Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology
- Biological and Physical Sciences
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
- Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education
- Archeology
- Applied Mathematics
- Sustainability Studies
- Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
- Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General
- International/Global Studies
- Anthropology
Student Demographics
Student Population
- Total Undergraduate Enrollment 1,627
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Male Students 48.6%
- Female Students 51.4%
- Caucasian 29.5%
- Asian 17.6%
- Hispanic 15.1%
- Black 9.4%
- Pell Grant Recipients 20.0%
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects Swarthmore College's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.
Gender Distribution
Gender breakdown of Swarthmore College's undergraduate population. The university maintains a roughly balanced gender distribution across its student body.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Swarthmore College support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a similar rate as higher-income students, indicating adequate institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Swarthmore College, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
EDsmart Insight: Swarthmore College has a diverse student body, with 29.5% identifying as White. About 20.0% receive Pell Grants, below the national average of 38%, suggesting a wealthier student body or generous institutional aid.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Swarthmore College support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a similar rate as higher-income students, indicating adequate institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Swarthmore College, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
Our Take
Ranking #59 nationally, Swarthmore College combines competitive admissions with -24.8% ROI, positioning itself among America's stronger universities. The institution balances academic rigor with $56,211 in median post-graduation earnings.
Students complete degrees at 94.1% six-year rates, with 97.2% retention reflecting solid satisfaction. The $18,686 annual net price falls in the moderate range, though 412 institutions deliver comparable outcomes at lower costs.
Competitive Selective University: Swarthmore College's Market Position
A grade | #59 of 6272 | 97.1/100 on EDsmart's national index (0–100 vs. all ranked schools; not a raw point total)
Competitive Positioning: Swarthmore College occupies the competitive selective tier—not elite enough for automatic career advantages, but strong enough to provide quality education and reasonable outcomes. The -24.8% ROI reflects this middle ground: better than most, but not top-tier.
Value for Money: $18,686 annually produces $56,211 median earnings—a reasonable but not exceptional return. Students choosing Swarthmore College should evaluate whether the institution's specific programs, location, or campus culture justify costs versus higher-ROI alternatives.
Who Succeeds Here: Self-directed students who maximize campus resources (research, internships, networking) achieve outcomes rivaling higher-ranked schools. Students seeking specific programs or geographic locations find strong value. Those needing extensive hand-holding may struggle in larger university environments.
Final Assessment: Swarthmore College's #59 ranking and A grade reflect solid performance across metrics. With 412 schools offering better ROI, value-focused students should compare carefully. However, for students who fit the institution's culture and programs, outcomes justify investment.
Key Takeaways
- 94.1% six-year graduation rate sits 31.6 points above the national 62.5% benchmark.
- 97.2% first-year retention is 20.4 points above the national norm of 76.8%.
- -24.8% return on investment is 110.1 points below the national 85.3% benchmark.
- Median earnings of $56,211 run about 29% higher than national outcomes six years after enrollment.
- Average net price of $18,686 is roughly $1,568 higher than the national median of $17,118.
Helpfulness for Students
- 8:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
- 97.2% first-year retention shows students stay engaged after the first year.
- 69.8% employment rate within three years sits 1.6 points above national outcomes.
- Average net price of $18,686 is about $1,568 higher than comparable schools, so scholarship planning is key.
- Pell participation at 20.0% trails the national share by 18.8 points, so equity work remains important.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis
Swarthmore College, a private nonprofit university in Swarthmore, PA, secures a A grade in our latest review. It appears at #59 in EDsmart's national list Grades by category break down as Completion A+, Support A, Career Outcomes B, and Affordability B-.
Grades are assigned relative to EDsmart's national bachelor's cohort using standardized outcomes (2026 methodology); they reflect how a school compares to peers, not a fixed percentage of a raw point total.
Student momentum is strong: 97.2% retention and 94.1% six-year graduation. The reported ROI is -24.8%, a figure families can weigh against cost and aid details above.
Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag. Letter grades summarize cohort-relative performance—not a single exam-style score.
EDsmart Financial Snapshot
Families pay about $18,686 on average after aid, compared with a published cost near $80,014.
Institutional and federal aid lower costs by roughly $61,328 per year.
Graduates leave with a median of $13,000 in federal loans, which lines up with national norms.
About 20.0% of students receive Pell Grants, giving a snapshot of the campus income mix.
Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.
EDsmart Career Snapshot
Median earnings come in near $56,211 six years after enrollment. Compared with the national median, that's 29% higher.
Employment outcomes report about 69.8% of alumni working within three years.
The ROI comes in near -24.8%, which you can cross-check against your financial plan.
Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.
EDsmart Admissions Snapshot
6.9% of applicants receive offers, so preparation and fit matter.
The admissions team encourages students to highlight academic strengths through transcripts, essays, and recommendations.
Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the Swarthmore College admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.
Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.
Your Decision Toolkit
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Contact Information
- Address Swarthmore, PA 19081
- Website www.swarthmore.edu
- Net Price Calculator Calculate Your Cost
- Financial AidView Financial Aid Information
- AccreditationMiddle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
- Endowment$2.73B