Carleton College vs. Swarthmore

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

Carleton College
Swarthmore College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Swarthmore (7.5% admitted vs 20.4%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1510.
  • Cheaper after aid: Swarthmore. Average net price is $22,469 vs $28,047 at Carleton College.
  • Graduation: Carleton College 93% vs Swarthmore 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Carleton College $65,600 vs Swarthmore $65,800 (median).
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Key differences

Carleton College Swarthmore College
Acceptance rate
Swarthmore more selective
Carleton College20.4%
Swarthmore7.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Swarthmore higher
Carleton College1450-1560
Swarthmore1490-1560
Average net price
Swarthmore $5,578 less
Carleton College$28,047
Swarthmore$22,469
In-state tuition
Swarthmore $3,398 less
Carleton College$68,892
Swarthmore$65,494
Out-of-state tuition
Swarthmore $3,398 less
Carleton College$68,892
Swarthmore$65,494
Graduation rate
Swarthmore +2 pts
Carleton College93%
Swarthmore95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Swarthmore +$200
Carleton College$65,600
Swarthmore$65,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Swarthmore 13,065
  • Admitted
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Swarthmore 975
  • Acceptance rate
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Swarthmore 7.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Swarthmore 43.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Swarthmore 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Carleton College 33
  • Swarthmore 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Swarthmore 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Carleton College A
  • Swarthmore A
  • Admissions standards
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Swarthmore Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Carleton College Very High
  • Swarthmore Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • Swarthmore 1490-1560
  • ACT range
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Swarthmore 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Swarthmore Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Room & board
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Swarthmore $20,308
  • Average net price
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Swarthmore $22,469
  • Average grant aid
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • Swarthmore $61,634
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Swarthmore 57%
  • Graduation rate
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Swarthmore 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Swarthmore $65,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Swarthmore 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Swarthmore $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Carleton College $201
  • Swarthmore $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Swarthmore 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Swarthmore
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Location
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Swarthmore Swarthmore, PA
  • Setting
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Swarthmore Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Swarthmore 1,623
  • Type
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • Swarthmore Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Carleton College #44
  • Swarthmore #40

Comparable Facts

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

Carleton College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 1,623 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 13.4% lower than at Swarthmore College ($17,586 vs. $20,308).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at Carleton College than at Swarthmore College (about $3,398 more per year; $68,892 vs. $65,494).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Swarthmore College (59% vs. 57%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 8.4% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($61,634 vs. $56,846).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Swarthmore than at Carleton College (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Carleton College and Swarthmore.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman Carleton College students have the same average high school GPA (3.9) as students at Swarthmore (3.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College and Carleton College graduates have the same median loan debt ($19,500 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Swarthmore College and Carleton College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($201 vs. $201).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Swarthmore students, three years after graduation (92% 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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