Swarthmore, PA
Swarthmore College is a private nonprofit institution with an acceptance rate of 7.5% and undergraduate enrollment of 1,613. The college has a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio and a 6-year graduation rate of 93.2%. The cost of attendance is $88,696, with 19.5% of students receiving Pell grants and 26.9% being first-generation students.
Swarthmore College is highly selective, with a 7.5% acceptance rate and an undergraduate enrollment of 1,613 students. The college maintains a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio and reports a 93.2% six-year graduation rate.
| Applied | Admitted | Rate | Enrolled | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 5,991 | 490 | 8.2% | 208 |
| Women | 8,296 | 502 | 6.1% | 207 |
Swarthmore College admits 7.5% of applicants — a typical similar college admits 74%.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Swarthmore College has a cost of attendance of $88,696 annually. With 19.5% Pell grant recipients and a substantial $2.7 billion endowment supporting financial aid, the college serves significant low-income enrollment.
* One or more income brackets show an unusually low net price, reflecting need-based aid that can reduce cost to near zero for families in that range.
Graduates who borrowed carry a median monthly repayment of about $186.
After aid, Swarthmore College costs $23,149 a year — about 2% more than a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Swarthmore College has a 93.2% six-year graduation rate. Median earnings are $56,211 at six years post-enrollment and $80,257 at ten years post-enrollment.
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Economics, General | 57 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 56 |
| Engineering, General | 29 |
| Mathematics, General | 29 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology, Other | 23 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 22 |
| Political Science and Government, General | 22 |
| English Language and Literature, General | 15 |
| Neuroscience | 15 |
| Philosophy | 13 |
Median earnings eight years after entering Swarthmore College are $72,890, and 62% of former students earn more than $25,000 six years after entry.
Six years after entry, former Swarthmore College students earn $56,211 — 24% more than at a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Swarthmore College is a small, selective private institution with 1,613 undergraduates and a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio. It competes in NCAA Division III athletics without football.
Average head coach salary by program gender.
447 of 1,626 undergraduates, counting each athlete once regardless of how many sports they play.
0 of 1,644 undergraduates study entirely at a distance.
Swarthmore College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Swarthmore College spends $25,164 per student on research — about 4× a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA, in what IPEDS classifies as a large suburb setting. The campus sits about 0.4 miles from the center of Swarthmore. There are 42 other colleges within 25 miles, and Philadelphia, PA is 13.7 miles away.
Delaware County scores 13.0 out of 20 on the EPA National Walkability Index — above average walkable. The index is a county-wide average of block groups, so it describes the surrounding area rather than the campus itself.
Undergraduates make up about 24.8% of Swarthmore's residents.
Every college that receives federal financial aid must publish its crime statistics each year under the Clery Act. These are the figures Swarthmore College reported for 2024.
Read these numbers carefully. A Clery figure counts reports, not incidents. A university with active reporting channels, a large campus police force and a teaching hospital will record more offenses than one where the same events go unreported — so a higher count is not evidence of a more dangerous campus, and a low count is not evidence of a safe one. In 2024, 833 campuses with more than 1,000 students reported no offenses at all. Use these figures to ask a college questions, not to rank one against another.
Separately, Swarthmore College reported 4 arrests and 247 disciplinary referrals for weapons, drug and liquor law violations on campus. Referrals for alcohol violations are usually the largest category at residential colleges and reflect how a school handles student conduct internally.
Common questions about Swarthmore College admissions, costs, and outcomes.
Swarthmore College has an acceptance rate of 7.5%, making it highly selective. This means admission is competitive, and applicants should have strong academic credentials and meaningful extracurricular involvement.
Swarthmore requires standardized test scores as part of applications, though specific score ranges vary by admission cycle. Competitive applicants typically score in the top percentiles on the SAT or ACT. Contact admissions for current testing expectations.
Swarthmore accepts applications through the Common App with regular decision deadlines typically in January. Early decision and early action options may also be available. Check the admissions website for exact dates for your application year.
The cost of attendance at Swarthmore is $88,696 annually, which includes tuition, fees, room, and board. However, most students pay significantly less through financial aid packages.
Swarthmore is committed to meeting full demonstrated financial need for admitted students. With a $2.7 billion endowment, the college provides substantial aid packages, particularly for lower-income families.
Approximately 19.5% of Swarthmore students receive Pell Grants, indicating the college enrolls a meaningful percentage of lower-income students. Additionally, 26.9% are first-generation college students.
Swarthmore's 6-year graduation rate is 93.2%, demonstrating strong student retention and completion. Graduation rates are 92.0% for Pell Grant recipients and 95.2% for non-Pell students.
Swarthmore graduates earn a median of $56,211 six years after enrollment and $80,257 ten years after enrollment. These earnings reflect the strong career outcomes and return on investment from a Swarthmore degree.
Swarthmore has an undergraduate enrollment of 1,613 students with a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio. This small size enables close faculty mentorship and personalized educational experiences uncommon at larger universities.
Swarthmore competes in NCAA Division III athletics without football. The college sponsors multiple varsity sports and invests $3.3 million in athletic programming, emphasizing student-athlete development and accessibility over recruitment scholarships.