S
#3 Best Colleges in Pennsylvania

Swarthmore College

Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

 1 Reviews

Overview

Enrollment

1,625
Swarthmore College overview
Location Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Online swarthmore.edu
School Type Private 4 Year
Setting Large Suburban
Swarthmore College overview
Size Small
Status Non-profit
On Campus Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad
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Swarthmore College, established in 1864, is a private liberal arts college located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, just 11 miles southwest of Philadelphia. Renowned for its rigorous academic programs, the college provides a diverse curriculum with a strong emphasis on undergraduate research opportunities. Its bucolic 425-acre campus is distinguished by an arboretum and notable stone collegiate Gothic architectural structures. It enrolls a small student body and maintains a highly selective admissions process, seeking students who demonstrate exceptional academic and extracurricular achievements. Swarthmore is particularly known for its Honors Program, which models the tutorial style of Oxford and Cambridge Universities. The college ensures on-campus housing for all students throughout their four years, fostering a close-knit living and learning environment. While not a driving force of campus life, Swarthmore does offer athletic programs as a member of the NCAA Division III, with teams known as the Swarthmore Garnet, though it is not principally recognized for its athletic pursuits.

In the most recent statistical year 14,707 prospective students applied, and 1,019 were granted admission.  Of those admitted 433 enrolled in the school.  1,625 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 0 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2022/2023, excluding room and board, is $58,928 plus fees of $400. Swarthmore is ranked 40 nationally in the CollegeSimply.com 2024 U.S. Colleges Ranking.

Ratings

10/10

Overall

10/10

Academics

10/10

Resources

9/10

Outcomes

10/10

Value

Swarthmore is rated within the top 9% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 10 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated

Rankings

Rankings for Swarthmore College within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.

Getting In

Admission Standards

Exceptional
Swarthmore College overview
SAT 1440/1560
ACT 32/35
Estimated GPA 3.9

Applications Accepted

6.9% 
Swarthmore College overview
Applications Due Jan 4, 2025
Applicant Competition Extreme
Application Fee $60

Explore admissions requirements

Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$58,928
Costs for Swarthmore College
Fee Cost
Books and Supplies$760
Other Fees$400
Room and Board $18,026
Budget for Other Expenses$1,900
Total One Year Cost$80,014

Tuition and financial aid details

Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$65,800 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

95% within 6 years

Explore Post Graduation Outcomes

Popular Areas of Study

Popular subjects studied by Swarthmore College students
Subject Percent of Class
Social Sciences 29%
Biology 11%
Foreign Languages 8%
Psychology 7%
English and Literature 7%

View All 50 Majors

Other Colleges to Consider 

Students considering Swarthmore are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=216287 IPEDS survey data for Swarthmore College.

Current students may use the Swarthmore College GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.

Last updated February 24, 2024