Swarthmore vs. Ursinus College

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

Swarthmore College
Ursinus College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Swarthmore (7.5% admitted vs 91.8%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1290.
  • Cheaper after aid: Swarthmore. Average net price is $22,469 vs $32,158 at Ursinus College.
  • Graduation: Swarthmore 95% vs Ursinus College 80%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Swarthmore $65,800 vs Ursinus College $58,000 (median).
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Key differences

Swarthmore College Ursinus College
Acceptance rate
Swarthmore more selective
Swarthmore7.5%
Ursinus College91.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Swarthmore higher
Swarthmore1490-1560
Ursinus College1200-1385
Average net price
Swarthmore $9,689 less
Swarthmore$22,469
Ursinus College$32,158
In-state tuition
Ursinus College $4,284 less
Swarthmore$65,494
Ursinus College$61,210
Out-of-state tuition
Ursinus College $4,284 less
Swarthmore$65,494
Ursinus College$61,210
Graduation rate
Swarthmore +15 pts
Swarthmore95%
Ursinus College80%
Median earnings (10 years)
Swarthmore +$7,800
Swarthmore$65,800
Ursinus College$58,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Swarthmore 13,065
  • Ursinus College 3,304
  • Admitted
  • Swarthmore 975
  • Ursinus College 3,032
  • Acceptance rate
  • Swarthmore 7.5%
  • Ursinus College 91.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Swarthmore 43.8%
  • Ursinus College 12.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Swarthmore 1530
  • Ursinus College 1290
  • Typical ACT score
  • Swarthmore 34
  • Ursinus College 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Swarthmore 3.9
  • Ursinus College 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • Swarthmore A
  • Ursinus College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Swarthmore Elite
  • Ursinus College Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Swarthmore Extreme
  • Ursinus College
  • SAT range
  • Swarthmore 1490-1560
  • Ursinus College 1200-1385
  • ACT range
  • Swarthmore 33-35
  • Ursinus College 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Swarthmore Test optional
  • Ursinus College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027
  • Ursinus College May 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Ursinus College $61,210
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Swarthmore $65,494
  • Ursinus College $61,210
  • Room & board
  • Swarthmore $20,308
  • Ursinus College $17,028
  • Average net price
  • Swarthmore $22,469
  • Ursinus College $32,158
  • Average grant aid
  • Swarthmore $61,634
  • Ursinus College $44,754
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Swarthmore 57%
  • Ursinus College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Swarthmore 95%
  • Ursinus College 80%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Swarthmore $65,800
  • Ursinus College $58,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Swarthmore 87%
  • Ursinus College 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Swarthmore $19,500
  • Ursinus College $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Swarthmore $201
  • Ursinus College $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Swarthmore 7:1
  • Ursinus College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Swarthmore
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Ursinus College
    • Social Sciences (24%)
    • Biology (17%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Location
  • Swarthmore Swarthmore, PA
  • Ursinus College Collegeville, PA
  • Setting
  • Swarthmore Large Suburban
  • Ursinus College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Swarthmore 1,623
  • Ursinus College 1,502
  • Type
  • Swarthmore Private 4 Year
  • Ursinus College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Swarthmore #40
  • Ursinus College #249

Comparable Facts

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

Swarthmore College is larger than Ursinus College based on total student enrollment (1,623 students vs. 1,502 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ursinus College are 16.2% lower than at Swarthmore College ($17,028 vs. $20,308).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7% higher at Swarthmore than at Ursinus College (about $4,284 more per year; $65,494 vs. $61,210).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ursinus College than at Swarthmore College (100% vs. 57%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 37.7% larger than aid received by Ursinus College students ($61,634 vs. $44,754).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Swarthmore than at Ursinus College (34 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Swarthmore and Ursinus College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027; Ursinus College May 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Swarthmore average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.37 higher than at Ursinus College (3.53).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.8% at Swarthmore vs. 12.5% at Ursinus College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Ursinus College graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ursinus College graduates ($201 vs. $279).
  • More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ursinus College students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 83%).

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

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