Dickinson College vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

Compare Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA with Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dickinson College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (2,314 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dickinson College is located in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dickinson College 11:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Dickinson College vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dickinson College or Swarthmore? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Swarthmore College than Dickinson College ($22,469 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson College are 15.8% lower than at Swarthmore College ($17,100 vs. $20,308).
• Dickinson College is 0.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $156 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at Dickinson College than at Swarthmore College (about $156 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Swarthmore College (96% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 38.6% larger than aid received by Dickinson College students ($61,634 vs. $44,479).

Dickinson College vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dickinson College or Swarthmore? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Swarthmore and Dickinson College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 140 points higher than at Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Dickinson College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 1310/1460; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dickinson College 30/33; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dickinson College - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at Dickinson College vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Dickinson College vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dickinson College and Swarthmore? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Swarthmore College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from Swarthmore College earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Dickinson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Dickinson College graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dickinson College graduates ($201 vs. $217).
• More Dickinson College 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.