Grinnell vs. Swarthmore

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

Grinnell College
Swarthmore College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Swarthmore (7.5% admitted vs 14.5%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1480.
  • Cheaper after aid: Swarthmore. Average net price is $22,469 vs $34,363 at Grinnell.
  • Graduation: Grinnell 88% vs Swarthmore 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Grinnell $59,500 vs Swarthmore $65,800 (median).
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Key differences

Grinnell College Swarthmore College
Acceptance rate
Swarthmore more selective
Grinnell14.5%
Swarthmore7.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Swarthmore higher
Grinnell1410-1540
Swarthmore1490-1560
Average net price
Swarthmore $11,894 less
Grinnell$34,363
Swarthmore$22,469
In-state tuition
Swarthmore $2,612 less
Grinnell$68,106
Swarthmore$65,494
Out-of-state tuition
Swarthmore $2,612 less
Grinnell$68,106
Swarthmore$65,494
Graduation rate
Swarthmore +7 pts
Grinnell88%
Swarthmore95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Swarthmore +$6,300
Grinnell$59,500
Swarthmore$65,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Grinnell 9,758
  • Swarthmore 13,065
  • Admitted
  • Grinnell 1,416
  • Swarthmore 975
  • Acceptance rate
  • Grinnell 14.5%
  • Swarthmore 7.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Grinnell 30.9%
  • Swarthmore 43.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Grinnell 1480
  • Swarthmore 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Grinnell 32
  • Swarthmore 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Grinnell 3.89
  • Swarthmore 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Grinnell A
  • Swarthmore A
  • Admissions standards
  • Grinnell Exceptional
  • Swarthmore Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Grinnell Very High
  • Swarthmore Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Grinnell 1410-1540
  • Swarthmore 1490-1560
  • ACT range
  • Grinnell 31-34
  • Swarthmore 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Grinnell Test optional
  • Swarthmore Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Grinnell Jan 15, 2027
  • Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Grinnell $68,106
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Grinnell $68,106
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Room & board
  • Grinnell $16,842
  • Swarthmore $20,308
  • Average net price
  • Grinnell $34,363
  • Swarthmore $22,469
  • Average grant aid
  • Grinnell $49,077
  • Swarthmore $61,634
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Grinnell 94%
  • Swarthmore 57%
  • Graduation rate
  • Grinnell 88%
  • Swarthmore 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Grinnell $59,500
  • Swarthmore $65,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Grinnell 87%
  • Swarthmore 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Grinnell $13,170
  • Swarthmore $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Grinnell $136
  • Swarthmore $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Grinnell 9:1
  • Swarthmore 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Grinnell
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Foreign Languages (12%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • History (8%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
  • Swarthmore
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Location
  • Grinnell Grinnell, IA
  • Swarthmore Swarthmore, PA
  • Setting
  • Grinnell Remote Town
  • Swarthmore Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Grinnell 1,788
  • Swarthmore 1,623
  • Type
  • Grinnell Private 4 Year
  • Swarthmore Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Grinnell #57
  • Swarthmore #40

Comparable Facts

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

Grinnell College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (1,788 students vs. 1,623 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 17.1% lower than at Swarthmore College ($16,842 vs. $20,308).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at Grinnell than at Swarthmore College (about $2,612 more per year; $68,106 vs. $65,494).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Swarthmore College (94% vs. 57%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 25.6% larger than aid received by Grinnell College students ($61,634 vs. $49,077).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Swarthmore than at Grinnell (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Grinnell and Swarthmore.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Swarthmore average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Grinnell (3.89).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $6,330 lower median loan debt than Swarthmore graduates ($13,170 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Swarthmore graduates ($136 vs. $201).
  • More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Swarthmore students, three years after graduation (87% 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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