Lafayette College vs. Swarthmore

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

Lafayette College
Swarthmore College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Swarthmore (7.5% admitted vs 31.4%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1430.
  • Cheaper after aid: Swarthmore. Average net price is $22,469 vs $38,442 at Lafayette College.
  • Graduation: Lafayette College 88% vs Swarthmore 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Lafayette College $81,000 vs Swarthmore $65,800 (median).
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Key differences

Lafayette College Swarthmore College
Acceptance rate
Swarthmore more selective
Lafayette College31.4%
Swarthmore7.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Swarthmore higher
Lafayette College1350-1500
Swarthmore1490-1560
Average net price
Swarthmore $15,973 less
Lafayette College$38,442
Swarthmore$22,469
In-state tuition
Lafayette College $96 less
Lafayette College$65,398
Swarthmore$65,494
Out-of-state tuition
Lafayette College $96 less
Lafayette College$65,398
Swarthmore$65,494
Graduation rate
Swarthmore +7 pts
Lafayette College88%
Swarthmore95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Lafayette College +$15,200
Lafayette College$81,000
Swarthmore$65,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Lafayette College 10,195
  • Swarthmore 13,065
  • Admitted
  • Lafayette College 3,206
  • Swarthmore 975
  • Acceptance rate
  • Lafayette College 31.4%
  • Swarthmore 7.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Lafayette College 21.8%
  • Swarthmore 43.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Lafayette College 1430
  • Swarthmore 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Lafayette College 32
  • Swarthmore 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Lafayette College 3.53
  • Swarthmore 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Lafayette College A-
  • Swarthmore A
  • Admissions standards
  • Lafayette College Exceptional
  • Swarthmore Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Lafayette College High
  • Swarthmore Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Lafayette College 1350-1500
  • Swarthmore 1490-1560
  • ACT range
  • Lafayette College 31-33
  • Swarthmore 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Lafayette College Test optional
  • Swarthmore Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027
  • Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Room & board
  • Lafayette College $19,866
  • Swarthmore $20,308
  • Average net price
  • Lafayette College $38,442
  • Swarthmore $22,469
  • Average grant aid
  • Lafayette College $44,707
  • Swarthmore $61,634
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Lafayette College 61%
  • Swarthmore 57%
  • Graduation rate
  • Lafayette College 88%
  • Swarthmore 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Lafayette College $81,000
  • Swarthmore $65,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Lafayette College 91%
  • Swarthmore 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Lafayette College $26,000
  • Swarthmore $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Lafayette College $268
  • Swarthmore $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Lafayette College 10:1
  • Swarthmore 7:1
  • Popular majors
  • Lafayette College
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • Engineering (19%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Swarthmore
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Location
  • Lafayette College Easton, PA
  • Swarthmore Swarthmore, PA
  • Setting
  • Lafayette College Large Suburban
  • Swarthmore Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Lafayette College 2,775
  • Swarthmore 1,623
  • Type
  • Lafayette College Private 4 Year
  • Swarthmore Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Lafayette College #69
  • Swarthmore #40

Comparable Facts

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

Lafayette College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (2,775 students vs. 1,623 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lafayette College are 2.2% lower than at Swarthmore College ($19,866 vs. $20,308).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at Swarthmore than at Lafayette College (about $96 more per year; $65,494 vs. $65,398).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lafayette College than at Swarthmore College (61% vs. 57%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 37.9% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($61,634 vs. $44,707).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Swarthmore than at Lafayette College (34 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Lafayette College and Swarthmore.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Swarthmore average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.37 higher than at Lafayette College (3.53).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at Lafayette College vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($201 vs. $268).
  • More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Swarthmore students, three years after graduation (91% 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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