Gettysburg College vs. Swarthmore

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

Gettysburg College
Swarthmore College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Swarthmore (7.5% admitted vs 38.9%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1370.
  • Cheaper after aid: Swarthmore. Average net price is $22,469 vs $32,769 at Gettysburg College.
  • Graduation: Gettysburg College 85% vs Swarthmore 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Gettysburg College $60,900 vs Swarthmore $65,800 (median).
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Key differences

Gettysburg College Swarthmore College
Acceptance rate
Swarthmore more selective
Gettysburg College38.9%
Swarthmore7.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Swarthmore higher
Gettysburg College1270-1460
Swarthmore1490-1560
Average net price
Swarthmore $10,300 less
Gettysburg College$32,769
Swarthmore$22,469
In-state tuition
Swarthmore $1,146 less
Gettysburg College$66,640
Swarthmore$65,494
Out-of-state tuition
Swarthmore $1,146 less
Gettysburg College$66,640
Swarthmore$65,494
Graduation rate
Swarthmore +10 pts
Gettysburg College85%
Swarthmore95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Swarthmore +$4,900
Gettysburg College$60,900
Swarthmore$65,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Gettysburg College 8,366
  • Swarthmore 13,065
  • Admitted
  • Gettysburg College 3,254
  • Swarthmore 975
  • Acceptance rate
  • Gettysburg College 38.9%
  • Swarthmore 7.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Gettysburg College 15.6%
  • Swarthmore 43.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Gettysburg College 1370
  • Swarthmore 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Gettysburg College 30
  • Swarthmore 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Gettysburg College -
  • Swarthmore 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Gettysburg College -
  • Swarthmore A
  • Admissions standards
  • Gettysburg College Very High
  • Swarthmore Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Gettysburg College High
  • Swarthmore Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Gettysburg College 1270-1460
  • Swarthmore 1490-1560
  • ACT range
  • Gettysburg College 29-32
  • Swarthmore 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Gettysburg College Test optional
  • Swarthmore Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Gettysburg College Jan 15, 2027
  • Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Gettysburg College $66,640
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Gettysburg College $66,640
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Room & board
  • Gettysburg College $16,110
  • Swarthmore $20,308
  • Average net price
  • Gettysburg College $32,769
  • Swarthmore $22,469
  • Average grant aid
  • Gettysburg College $49,191
  • Swarthmore $61,634
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Gettysburg College 98%
  • Swarthmore 57%
  • Graduation rate
  • Gettysburg College 85%
  • Swarthmore 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Gettysburg College $60,900
  • Swarthmore $65,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Gettysburg College 90%
  • Swarthmore 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Gettysburg College $22,000
  • Swarthmore $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Gettysburg College $227
  • Swarthmore $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Gettysburg College 10:1
  • Swarthmore 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Gettysburg College
    • Social Sciences (20%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Business (11%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Swarthmore
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Location
  • Gettysburg College Gettysburg, PA
  • Swarthmore Swarthmore, PA
  • Setting
  • Gettysburg College Distant Town
  • Swarthmore Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Gettysburg College 2,812
  • Swarthmore 1,623
  • Type
  • Gettysburg College Private 4 Year
  • Swarthmore Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Gettysburg College #80
  • Swarthmore #40

Comparable Facts

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

Gettysburg College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (2,812 students vs. 1,623 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Gettysburg College is located in Gettysburg, PA (Distant Town setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Gettysburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Gettysburg College 10:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gettysburg College are 20.7% lower than at Swarthmore College ($16,110 vs. $20,308).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.7% higher at Gettysburg College than at Swarthmore College (about $1,146 more per year; $66,640 vs. $65,494).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gettysburg College than at Swarthmore College (98% vs. 57%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 25.3% larger than aid received by Gettysburg College students ($61,634 vs. $49,191).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Swarthmore than at Gettysburg College (34 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Gettysburg College and Swarthmore.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Gettysburg College Jan 15, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Gettysburg College vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Gettysburg College graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,000).
  • Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gettysburg College graduates ($201 vs. $227).
  • More Gettysburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Swarthmore students, three years after graduation (90% 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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