Swarthmore College Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Swarthmore College is a private university in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, enrolling about 1,613 students. Admission is highly selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 7.46% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $80,257 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $65,494
- 2024 Average Net Price: $23,149 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 7.46% Highly Selective
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 1,613 99.9% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 92.27%
- Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
- First-Generation Students: 26.9%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 5.2% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 13.5% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 93.7%
- Average SAT Score: 1534
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,717
- Applicants (IPEDS): 14,287
- Room & Board: $20,308 annual estimate
Swarthmore College: what the data shows
Common questions about Swarthmore College, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Swarthmore College?
Swarthmore College is located in Swarthmore, PA (ZIP 19081).
NCES locale classification: Rural fringe.
Is Swarthmore College public or private?
Swarthmore College is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Swarthmore College cost?
Published tuition: $65,494.
Average net price after aid: $23,149.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $7,690 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $4,951 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $11,444 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $22,443 |
| $110,001+ | $47,544 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $261,976.
How hard is it to get into Swarthmore College?
Admission rate: 7.46%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1534 and midpoint ACT 34.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Swarthmore College?
Total enrollment: 1,613 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,717 students.
About 100% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Swarthmore College?
150%-time completion rate: 92.27%.
First-year retention: 94.0%.
What do graduates of Swarthmore College earn?
Median earnings: $56,211 six years after entry; $80,257 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $17,500.
19.48% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Swarthmore College known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Computer and Information Sciences, General (87 completions)
- Economics, General (78 completions)
- Mathematics, General (56 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (33 completions)
- Engineering, General (29 completions)
- Political Science and Government, General (26 completions)
- Research and Experimental Psychology, Other (25 completions)
- English Language and Literature, General (18 completions)
- Neuroscience (15 completions)
- Philosophy (15 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Swarthmore College a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 7.46%; completion rate 92.27%; median earnings $80,257 at 10 years; net price $23,149. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$65,494
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Swarthmore College was $65,494.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$23,149
2024 Value
In 2024 Swarthmore College had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $23,149.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$92,596 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$23,149 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$261,976 4-Year Tuition
$20,308 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$760 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$86,562 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$346,248 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Swarthmore College.
Financial Aid by Income Level
19.48% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
10.64% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Swarthmore College was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Swarthmore College in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $44,718 | $44,718 | $24,166 |
| 2014 | $46,060 | $46,060 | $22,937 |
| 2015 | $47,442 | $47,442 | $21,858 |
| 2016 | $49,104 | $49,104 | $18,157 |
| 2017 | $50,822 | $50,822 | $20,511 |
| 2018 | $52,588 | $52,588 | $21,067 |
| 2019 | $54,656 | $54,656 | $19,184 |
| 2020 | $54,456 | $54,456 | $20,813 |
| 2021 | $56,056 | $56,056 | $20,780 |
| 2022 | $59,328 | $59,328 | $21,595 |
| 2023 | $62,412 | $62,412 | $18,686 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
7.46% Acceptance Rate
14,287 Total Applicants
992 Students Admitted
415 First-Time Students Enrolled
41.83% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution is extremely selective, accepting fewer than 1 in 10 applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1534
ACT Average: 34
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.9 - 4.0
Estimated Median GPA: 4.00
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Swarthmore College reported total enrollment of about 1,613 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 48% male and 52% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (30.2%), Asian (16.6%), and Hispanic or Latino (15.5%). About 19.48% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 26.9% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
99.9% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Swarthmore College in 2024 is 1,613 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 1,717 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
94.0%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 30.2%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
75.85% 100% Completion Time
92.27% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 75.85% of students graduating from Swarthmore College completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Computer and Information Sciences, General: 63% male / 37% female
- Economics, General: 60% male / 40% female
- Mathematics, General: 59% male / 41% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Swarthmore College.
Return on Investment
$17,500 Median Student Debt
$80,257 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
21.80% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
766.74% Return on Investment
2.2 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Swarthmore College.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 58 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Computer and Information Sciences, General: 87 completions
2. Economics, General: 78 completions
3. Mathematics, General: 56 completions
4. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 33 completions
5. Engineering, General: 29 completions
6. Political Science and Government, General: 26 completions
7. Research and Experimental Psychology, Other: 25 completions
8. English Language and Literature, General: 18 completions
9. Neuroscience: 15 completions
Most popular programs at Swarthmore College.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Swarthmore College graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Swarthmore College from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 93.7%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $14,961
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $46,961
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Swarthmore College is a private non-profit institution located in Swarthmore, PA, classified as Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Computer and Information Sciences, General, Economics, General, Mathematics, General. Enrollment is approximately 1,613 students. Student body composition includes White (30.2%), Asian (16.6%), Hispanic or Latino (15.5%). It is highly selective, with an admission rate of 7.46%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1534. The 150%-time completion rate is 92.27%. Approximately 19.48% of students receive Pell Grants. About 26.9% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
Location
Swarthmore, PA 19081
Region: Mid East
Insights and Analysis
Exceptional Graduation Rate: With a 92.27% graduation rate, Swarthmore College demonstrates strong student retention and completion. This rate significantly exceeds the national average, indicating effective academic support and student services.
Strong Career Outcomes: Swarthmore College graduates report median earnings of $80,257 ten years after entry, placing them among the higher-earning college graduates nationally. This strong earnings potential reflects both the quality of education and the career opportunities available to graduates.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 58 distinct degree programs, Swarthmore College provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Swarthmore College located?
Swarthmore College is located in Swarthmore, PA.
What is Swarthmore College's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Swarthmore College is 7.5% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 14,287 applicants and 992 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Swarthmore College cost?
Reported tuition is $65,494 and average net price is $23,149 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $20,308 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Swarthmore College?
Swarthmore College reports undergraduate enrollment of about 1,717 students, White (30.2%), Asian (16.6%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Swarthmore College?
About 26.9% of students at Swarthmore College are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Swarthmore College?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Swarthmore College reports midpoint SAT about 1534 and midpoint ACT about 34.
What do graduates of Swarthmore College earn?
Median earnings are $56,211 six years after entry and $80,257 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Swarthmore College?
The 150%-time completion rate is 92.3% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Swarthmore College students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $17,500.
Is Swarthmore College public or private?
Swarthmore College is a private nonprofit institution located in Swarthmore, PA.
Is Swarthmore College an HBCU?
No. Swarthmore College is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Swarthmore College a tribal college?
No. Swarthmore College is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Pennsylvania college costs
- Pennsylvania colleges by ROI
- Mid East regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Pennsylvania
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.