Washington College vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

Compare Washington College in Chestertown, MD with Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Swarthmore College is larger than Washington College based on total student enrollment (1,623 students vs. 923 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Washington College is located in Chestertown, MD (Distant Town setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Washington College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Washington College 8:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Washington College vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Washington College 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 Washington College ($22,469 vs. $29,830).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington College are 10.1% lower than at Swarthmore College ($18,250 vs. $20,308).
• Swarthmore College is 18.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Washington College (about $10,168 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $55,326.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.4% higher at Swarthmore than at Washington College (about $10,168 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $55,326.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington College than at Swarthmore College (100% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 41.7% larger than aid received by Washington College students ($61,634 vs. $43,485).

Washington College vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Washington College 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 Washington College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 260 points higher than at Washington College (1270).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Washington College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington College 1140/1390; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington College 27/31; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Washington College - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Washington College Feb 15, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Washington College (3.71).
• Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (56.9%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Washington College vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Washington College vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Washington College 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 Washington College's (75%).
• Graduates from Swarthmore College earn a median of about $15,000 more per year than Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $50,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than Washington College graduates ($19,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington College graduates ($201 vs. $250).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Washington College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 85%)

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.