Barnard vs. Swarthmore

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

Barnard College
Swarthmore College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Swarthmore (7.5% admitted vs 8.8%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1520.
  • Cheaper after aid: Swarthmore. Average net price is $22,469 vs $26,407 at Barnard.
  • Graduation: Barnard 92% vs Swarthmore 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Barnard $66,900 vs Swarthmore $65,800 (median).
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Key differences

Barnard College Swarthmore College
Acceptance rate
Swarthmore more selective
Barnard8.8%
Swarthmore7.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Swarthmore higher
Barnard1470-1560
Swarthmore1490-1560
Average net price
Swarthmore $3,938 less
Barnard$26,407
Swarthmore$22,469
In-state tuition
Swarthmore $4,394 less
Barnard$69,888
Swarthmore$65,494
Out-of-state tuition
Swarthmore $4,394 less
Barnard$69,888
Swarthmore$65,494
Graduation rate
Swarthmore +3 pts
Barnard92%
Swarthmore95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Barnard +$1,100
Barnard$66,900
Swarthmore$65,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Barnard 11,836
  • Swarthmore 13,065
  • Admitted
  • Barnard 1,046
  • Swarthmore 975
  • Acceptance rate
  • Barnard 8.8%
  • Swarthmore 7.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Barnard 68.6%
  • Swarthmore 43.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Barnard 1520
  • Swarthmore 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Barnard 33
  • Swarthmore 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Barnard 3.85
  • Swarthmore 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Barnard A
  • Swarthmore A
  • Admissions standards
  • Barnard Elite
  • Swarthmore Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Barnard Extreme
  • Swarthmore Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Barnard 1470-1560
  • Swarthmore 1490-1560
  • ACT range
  • Barnard 32-34
  • Swarthmore 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Barnard Test optional
  • Swarthmore Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Barnard Jan 4, 2027
  • Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Room & board
  • Barnard $21,714
  • Swarthmore $20,308
  • Average net price
  • Barnard $26,407
  • Swarthmore $22,469
  • Average grant aid
  • Barnard $63,131
  • Swarthmore $61,634
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Barnard 33%
  • Swarthmore 57%
  • Graduation rate
  • Barnard 92%
  • Swarthmore 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Barnard $66,900
  • Swarthmore $65,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Barnard 89%
  • Swarthmore 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Barnard $17,847
  • Swarthmore $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Barnard $184
  • Swarthmore $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Barnard 10:1
  • Swarthmore 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Barnard
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Swarthmore
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Location
  • Barnard New York, NY
  • Swarthmore Swarthmore, PA
  • Setting
  • Barnard Large City
  • Swarthmore Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Barnard 3,487
  • Swarthmore 1,623
  • Type
  • Barnard Private 4 Year
  • Swarthmore Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Barnard #35
  • Swarthmore #40

Comparable Facts

Compare Barnard College in New York, NY with Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Barnard College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (3,487 students vs. 1,623 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Barnard College is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Barnard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Barnard College 10:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Swarthmore College are 6.5% lower than at Barnard College ($20,308 vs. $21,714).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6.7% higher at Barnard than at Swarthmore College (about $4,394 more per year; $69,888 vs. $65,494).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Swarthmore College than at Barnard College (57% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Barnard College students is 2.4% larger than aid received by Swarthmore College students ($63,131 vs. $61,634).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Swarthmore than at Barnard (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Barnard and Swarthmore.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Barnard Jan 4, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Swarthmore average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at Barnard (3.85).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68.6% at Barnard vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Barnard College graduates have a $1,653 lower median loan debt than Swarthmore graduates ($17,847 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Barnard graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Swarthmore graduates ($184 vs. $201).
  • More Barnard graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Swarthmore students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 87%).

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

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