Swarthmore College
private · Founded 1864 · Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance Rate
6.90%
Enrollment
1,644
Tuition & Fees
$62,832
Graduation Rate
94.00%
Retention Rate
97.00%
Off-Campus Needed
82
Swarthmore Report Card
Letter grades compare this school against national university benchmarks.
Academics
Selectivity, test scores, retention, and faculty access.
Value
Cost, aid, grants, and post-graduation earnings.
Diversity
Economic access, geographic mix, and gender balance.
Location
Safety, walkability, transit, and student nightlife.
Campus
Housing capacity, student body scale, and campus setting.
Outcomes
Graduation, retention, employment, and earnings.
Grades are benchmarked against national profile data. View methodology
Can You Get Into Swarthmore?
Swarthmore admitted just 992 of 14,287 applicants — a 6.90% acceptance rate
Admissions Snapshot
87% below state avg
66% above state avg
Test Scores (Middle 50%)
SAT Reading & Writing
720–770
SAT Math
740–790
ACT Composite
33–34
What Will Swarthmore Cost You?
Most students don't pay sticker price — 57.00% receive financial aid
Sticker Price
2% below state avg
Per-credit cost: $1,938 (part-time)
Financial Aid & Grants
Your estimated net price
On-Campus vs. Off-Campus Housing Cost
Swarthmore's on-campus room and board adds up to $18,964 per year ($1,580/month). Many students find that off-campus apartments offer more space, kitchen access, and flexibility — often at a lower monthly cost.
| On-Campus | Off-Campus (avg) | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Housing | $9,578 | Varies |
| Monthly Equivalent | $798/mo | See listings |
| Meal Plan | $9,386 (required) | Flexible |
| Availability | 1,574 beds only | Hundreds of options |
What Can You Study at Swarthmore?
Most Popular Undergraduate Majors
Economics, General.
58 graduates · 36.21% women
Computer and Information Sciences, General.
46 graduates · 34.78% women
Engineering, General.
33 graduates · 39.39% women
Mathematics, General.
30 graduates · 36.67% women
Political Science and Government, General.
29 graduates · 55.17% women
Neuroscience.
18 graduates · 72.22% women
Research and Experimental Psychology, Other.
15 graduates · 53.33% women
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
14 graduates · 28.57% women
Education, General.
13 graduates · 84.62% women
Sociology and Anthropology.
13 graduates · 69.23% women
Your major at this school
What's It Like at Swarthmore?
Philadelphia, PA — suburb
Student Body
From your state to this school
Student Demographics
Swarthmore Photos
Campus images from the university profile
Neighborhoods near Swarthmore
Where students live around Swarthmore College — vibe, walkability, and commute at a glance.
How Does Swarthmore Compare?
Institutional resources and student-faculty ratios
Student-Faculty Ratio
8:1
Peer Institutions
Schools that Swarthmore reports as peers for academic and admissions benchmarking.
Will You Succeed at Swarthmore?
97.00% of freshmen return for sophomore year — 94.00% graduate within 6 years
Graduation Rates
16% above state avg
28% above state avg
6-Year Graduation by Group
Swarthmore Reviews
Student perspectives on academics, campus life, and housing fit
Be the first student to review this university.
82 Swarthmore Students Need Off-Campus Housing
With 1,644 students and only 1,574 dorm beds, 5% of Swarthmore students live off campus.
1,644
Undergraduates
82
Need Off-Campus Housing
Data Sources: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS, National Center for Education Statistics. University Apartments is not affiliated with Swarthmore College.