Swarthmore vs. Middlebury

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

Swarthmore College
Middlebury College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Swarthmore (7.5% admitted vs 10.7%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1500.
  • Cheaper after aid: Swarthmore. Average net price is $22,469 vs $26,233 at Middlebury.
  • Graduation: Swarthmore 95% vs Middlebury 90%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Swarthmore $65,800 vs Middlebury $72,400 (median).
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Key differences

Swarthmore College Middlebury College
Acceptance rate
Swarthmore more selective
Swarthmore7.5%
Middlebury10.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Swarthmore higher
Swarthmore1490-1560
Middlebury1445-1550
Average net price
Swarthmore $3,764 less
Swarthmore$22,469
Middlebury$26,233
In-state tuition
Swarthmore $2,106 less
Swarthmore$65,494
Middlebury$67,600
Out-of-state tuition
Swarthmore $2,106 less
Swarthmore$65,494
Middlebury$67,600
Graduation rate
Swarthmore +5 pts
Swarthmore95%
Middlebury90%
Median earnings (10 years)
Middlebury +$6,600
Swarthmore$65,800
Middlebury$72,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Swarthmore 13,065
  • Middlebury 12,540
  • Admitted
  • Swarthmore 975
  • Middlebury 1,348
  • Acceptance rate
  • Swarthmore 7.5%
  • Middlebury 10.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Swarthmore 43.8%
  • Middlebury 44.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Swarthmore 1530
  • Middlebury 1500
  • Typical ACT score
  • Swarthmore 34
  • Middlebury 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Swarthmore 3.9
  • Middlebury 3.89
  • Typical high school grades
  • Swarthmore A
  • Middlebury A
  • Admissions standards
  • Swarthmore Elite
  • Middlebury Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Swarthmore Extreme
  • Middlebury Very High
  • SAT range
  • Swarthmore 1490-1560
  • Middlebury 1445-1550
  • ACT range
  • Swarthmore 33-35
  • Middlebury 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Swarthmore Test optional
  • Middlebury Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027
  • Middlebury Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Middlebury $67,600
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Middlebury $67,600
  • Room & board
  • Swarthmore $20,308
  • Middlebury $19,250
  • Average net price
  • Swarthmore $22,469
  • Middlebury $26,233
  • Average grant aid
  • Swarthmore $61,634
  • Middlebury $59,647
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Swarthmore 57%
  • Middlebury 47%
  • Graduation rate
  • Swarthmore 95%
  • Middlebury 90%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Swarthmore $65,800
  • Middlebury $72,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Swarthmore 87%
  • Middlebury 88%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Swarthmore $19,500
  • Middlebury $15,889
  • Median loan payment
  • Swarthmore $201
  • Middlebury $164
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Swarthmore 7:1
  • Middlebury 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Swarthmore
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Middlebury
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Foreign Languages (12%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Location
  • Swarthmore Swarthmore, PA
  • Middlebury Middlebury, VT
  • Setting
  • Swarthmore Large Suburban
  • Middlebury Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Swarthmore 1,623
  • Middlebury 2,803
  • Type
  • Swarthmore Private 4 Year
  • Middlebury Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Swarthmore #40
  • Middlebury #24

Comparable Facts

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

Middlebury College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (2,803 students vs. 1,623 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Swarthmore College is located in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting); Middlebury College is in Middlebury, VT (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Middlebury College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Swarthmore College 7:1; Middlebury College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Middlebury College are 5.2% lower than at Swarthmore College ($19,250 vs. $20,308).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.2% higher at Middlebury than at Swarthmore College (about $2,106 more per year; $67,600 vs. $65,494).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Swarthmore College than at Middlebury College (57% vs. 47%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 3.3% larger than aid received by Middlebury College students ($61,634 vs. $59,647).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Swarthmore students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Middlebury (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Swarthmore and Middlebury.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027; Middlebury Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Swarthmore average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Middlebury (3.89).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.8% at Swarthmore vs. 44.4% at Middlebury.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Middlebury College graduates have a $3,611 lower median loan debt than Swarthmore graduates ($15,889 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Middlebury graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Swarthmore graduates ($164 vs. $201).
  • More Middlebury graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Swarthmore students, three years after graduation (88% 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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