Amherst vs. Swarthmore

Amherst College and Swarthmore College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Amherst College
Swarthmore College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Swarthmore (7.5% admitted vs 9%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1540.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $22,469 at Swarthmore.
  • Graduation: Amherst 96% vs Swarthmore 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Amherst $82,000 vs Swarthmore $65,800 (median).
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Key differences

Amherst College Swarthmore College
Acceptance rate
Swarthmore more selective
Amherst9%
Swarthmore7.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Amherst1490-1580
Swarthmore1490-1560
Average net price
Amherst $3,420 less
Amherst$19,049
Swarthmore$22,469
In-state tuition
Swarthmore $4,986 less
Amherst$70,480
Swarthmore$65,494
Out-of-state tuition
Swarthmore $4,986 less
Amherst$70,480
Swarthmore$65,494
Graduation rate
Amherst +1 pts
Amherst96%
Swarthmore95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$16,200
Amherst$82,000
Swarthmore$65,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Swarthmore 13,065
  • Admitted
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Swarthmore 975
  • Acceptance rate
  • Amherst 9%
  • Swarthmore 7.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Swarthmore 43.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Amherst 1540
  • Swarthmore 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Amherst 34
  • Swarthmore 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Swarthmore 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Amherst A
  • Swarthmore A
  • Admissions standards
  • Amherst Elite
  • Swarthmore Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Amherst Extreme
  • Swarthmore Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • Swarthmore 1490-1560
  • ACT range
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Swarthmore 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Swarthmore Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Room & board
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Swarthmore $20,308
  • Average net price
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Swarthmore $22,469
  • Average grant aid
  • Amherst $68,591
  • Swarthmore $61,634
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Amherst 59%
  • Swarthmore 57%
  • Graduation rate
  • Amherst 96%
  • Swarthmore 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Swarthmore $65,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Amherst 83%
  • Swarthmore 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Swarthmore $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Amherst $134
  • Swarthmore $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Swarthmore 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Swarthmore
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Location
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Swarthmore Swarthmore, PA
  • Setting
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Swarthmore Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Swarthmore 1,623
  • Type
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • Swarthmore Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Amherst #13
  • Swarthmore #40

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Amherst College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (1,914 students vs. 1,623 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 9.4% lower than at Swarthmore College ($18,390 vs. $20,308).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7.6% higher at Amherst than at Swarthmore College (about $4,986 more per year; $70,480 vs. $65,494).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Swarthmore College (59% vs. 57%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 11.3% larger than aid received by Swarthmore College students ($68,591 vs. $61,634).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Amherst students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Swarthmore (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Amherst and Swarthmore.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Swarthmore (3.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $6,525 lower median loan debt than Swarthmore graduates ($12,975 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Swarthmore graduates ($134 vs. $201).
  • More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 83%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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