Swarthmore vs. Mary Washington College

Comparable Facts

Compare Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA with University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Mary Washington is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (3,826 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Swarthmore College is located in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting); University of Mary Washington is in Fredericksburg, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mary Washington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Swarthmore College 7:1; University of Mary Washington 13:1.

Swarthmore vs. Mary Washington College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Swarthmore or Mary Washington College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Mary Washington than Swarthmore ($21,800 vs. $22,469).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary Washington are 29.8% lower than at Swarthmore College ($14,250 vs. $20,308).
• Swarthmore College is 347.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mary Washington College (about $50,854 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $14,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 137.6% higher at Swarthmore than at University of Mary Washington (about $37,934 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $27,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary Washington than at Swarthmore College (99% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 487.5% larger than aid received by University of Mary Washington students ($61,634 vs. $10,491).

Swarthmore vs. Mary Washington College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Swarthmore or Mary Washington College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Mary Washington College and Swarthmore.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 260 points higher than at Mary Washington College (1270).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Mary Washington College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Swarthmore College 1490/1560; University of Mary Washington 1170/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Swarthmore College 33/35; University of Mary Washington 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Swarthmore - Test optional; Mary Washington College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Mary Washington College (3.71).
• Mary Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.8% at Swarthmore vs. 17.7% at Mary Washington College.

Swarthmore vs. Mary Washington College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Swarthmore and Mary Washington College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Swarthmore College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than University of Mary Washington's (71%).
• Graduates from Swarthmore College earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than Mary Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $55,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Mary Washington College graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mary Washington College graduates ($201 vs. $222).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mary Washington College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.