U of R vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

University of Rochester is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (11,946 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Rochester is located in Rochester, NY (Midsize City setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Rochester is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Rochester 9:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

U of R vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of R or Swarthmore? 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 Swarthmore College than U of R ($22,469 vs. $40,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Rochester are 2.5% lower than at Swarthmore College ($19,792 vs. $20,308).
• University of Rochester is 2.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $1,586 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.4% higher at U of R than at Swarthmore College (about $1,586 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Rochester than at Swarthmore College (72% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 35.5% larger than aid received by University of Rochester students ($61,634 vs. $45,500).

U of R vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of R or Swarthmore? 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 Swarthmore and U of R.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 50 points higher than at U of R (1480).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at U of R).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 1410/1540; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 31/34; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of R - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Swarthmore - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: U of R Jan 5, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at U of R (3.75).
• U of R has a higher acceptance rate (40.1%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.4% at U of R vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

U of R vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of R and Swarthmore? 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 Rochester's (83%).
• Graduates from University of Rochester earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,000 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than U of R graduates ($19,500 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of R graduates ($201 vs. $253).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of R students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 79%)

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.