Houghton University vs. Swarthmore

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

Houghton University
Swarthmore College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Swarthmore (7.5% admitted vs 88.7%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1270.
  • Cheaper after aid: Houghton University. Average net price is $21,274 vs $22,469 at Swarthmore.
  • Graduation: Houghton University 68% vs Swarthmore 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Houghton University $44,300 vs Swarthmore $65,800 (median).
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Key differences

Houghton University Swarthmore College
Acceptance rate
Swarthmore more selective
Houghton University88.7%
Swarthmore7.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Swarthmore higher
Houghton University1170-1375
Swarthmore1490-1560
Average net price
Houghton University $1,195 less
Houghton University$21,274
Swarthmore$22,469
In-state tuition
Houghton University $47,064 less
Houghton University$18,430
Swarthmore$65,494
Out-of-state tuition
Houghton University $47,064 less
Houghton University$18,430
Swarthmore$65,494
Graduation rate
Swarthmore +27 pts
Houghton University68%
Swarthmore95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Swarthmore +$21,500
Houghton University$44,300
Swarthmore$65,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Houghton University 1,041
  • Swarthmore 13,065
  • Admitted
  • Houghton University 923
  • Swarthmore 975
  • Acceptance rate
  • Houghton University 88.7%
  • Swarthmore 7.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Houghton University 23.2%
  • Swarthmore 43.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Houghton University 1270
  • Swarthmore 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Houghton University 28
  • Swarthmore 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Houghton University 3.25
  • Swarthmore 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Houghton University B+
  • Swarthmore A
  • Admissions standards
  • Houghton University Difficult
  • Swarthmore Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Houghton University
  • Swarthmore Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Houghton University 1170-1375
  • Swarthmore 1490-1560
  • ACT range
  • Houghton University 26-31
  • Swarthmore 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Houghton University Test optional
  • Swarthmore Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Houghton University
  • Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Houghton University $18,430
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Houghton University $18,430
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Room & board
  • Houghton University $11,360
  • Swarthmore $20,308
  • Average net price
  • Houghton University $21,274
  • Swarthmore $22,469
  • Average grant aid
  • Houghton University $9,902
  • Swarthmore $61,634
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Houghton University 100%
  • Swarthmore 57%
  • Graduation rate
  • Houghton University 68%
  • Swarthmore 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Houghton University $44,300
  • Swarthmore $65,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Houghton University 77%
  • Swarthmore 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Houghton University $25,500
  • Swarthmore $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Houghton University $263
  • Swarthmore $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Houghton University 12:1
  • Swarthmore 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Houghton University
    • Business (23%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Swarthmore
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Location
  • Houghton University Houghton, NY
  • Swarthmore Swarthmore, PA
  • Setting
  • Houghton University Remote Rural
  • Swarthmore Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Houghton University 1,200
  • Swarthmore 1,623
  • Type
  • Houghton University Private 4 Year
  • Swarthmore Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Houghton University #432
  • Swarthmore #40

Comparable Facts

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

Swarthmore College is larger than Houghton University based on total student enrollment (1,623 students vs. 1,200 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Houghton University is located in Houghton, NY (Remote Rural setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Houghton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Houghton University 12:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Houghton University are 44.1% lower than at Swarthmore College ($11,360 vs. $20,308).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 255.4% higher at Swarthmore than at Houghton University (about $47,064 more per year; $65,494 vs. $18,430).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Houghton University than at Swarthmore College (100% vs. 57%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 522.4% larger than aid received by Houghton University students ($61,634 vs. $9,902).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at Swarthmore than at Houghton University (34 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Houghton University and Swarthmore.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Swarthmore average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.65 higher than at Houghton University (3.25).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.2% at Houghton University vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Houghton University graduates ($19,500 vs. $25,500).
  • Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Houghton University graduates ($201 vs. $263).
  • More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Houghton University students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 77%).

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

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