B+
Very Good
Score: 77/100
Overall (traditional)
A+
Outcome Rating
95/100 · earnings-weighted

Swarthmore College

4-Year Private Non-Profit
📍 Swarthmore, Pennsylvania 19081
Swarthmore College campus, Swarthmore, PA
Swarthmore College campus, Swarthmore, PA. Photo: Ugen64 at English Wikipedia, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
Outcomes
A+
96/100
Affordability
F
28/100
Resources
A
85/100
Experience
A+
94/100
Prestige
A
80/100

Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology

Quick Stats

1,644
Total Enrollment
94%
Graduation Rate
97%
Retention Rate
8.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
7%
Acceptance Rate
N/A
Avg Net Price

Earnings, Debt & Completion

What happens to students who enroll at Swarthmore College, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

$80,257
Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$56,211
Median earnings 6 yrs after entry
$17,500
Median debt at graduation
92.3%
Completion rate (within 150% of normal time)
1,534
Average SAT
34
Median ACT
19.5%
Students receiving Pell grants

Typical debt at graduation equals about 22% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.

Earnings rank: 94th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (PA wage index 0.97). This drives the Outcome Rating.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.

Earnings by Major at Swarthmore College

Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.

Major1 yr after4 yrs aftervs. nationalRank (pay)Rank (wage-adj.)Median debt
Computer and Information Sciences$103,686$150,942+63%#13 of 459#11—
Economics$76,944$128,051+55%#20 of 368#15$19,500
Engineering—$78,519-12%#51 of 57#49—
Mathematics$72,656—————
Political Science and Government$40,449$58,372-8%#364 of 565#322—
Biology$41,122$57,754+1%#424 of 841#402—

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.

For parents & investors

The Swarthmore College Town Property Report

  • Avg home value near campus: $492,834
  • Avg rent near campus: $2,356/mo — vs ~$1,064/mo campus room rate
  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 19022 (6.2% cap, Crum Lynne)

Get the free 1-page report: rent-vs-dorm math, the 3 best nearby ZIPs by yield, and the “kiddie condo” strategy parents use.

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🏆 Where Swarthmore College Ranks

Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.

#20
Engineering, General
of 100 schools

Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $61,992 $61,992
Room $9,578
Board $9,386
Total Cost (On-Campus) $84,103 $84,103

Financial Aid

60%
Receive Any Aid
20%
Receive Pell Grants
8%
Take Out Loans
N/A
Avg Net Price

Student Demographics

1,644
Total Students
52%
Women
98%
Traditional Age (18-24)

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 30%
Hispanic 15%
Black 9%
Asian 18%
Two or More 11%
Non-Resident 14%

🏠 Living Arrangements

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 100%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 98%
25-64 (Adult) 1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Swarthmore College?
Swarthmore College has an acceptance rate of 7%. This makes it a highly selective institution where admission is very competitive.
How much does it cost to attend Swarthmore College?
Tuition at Swarthmore College is $61,992 for in-state students and $61,992 for out-of-state students .
What is the graduation rate at Swarthmore College?
The graduation rate at Swarthmore College is 94%. This is considered an excellent graduation rate, indicating strong student success and support systems.
Is Swarthmore College a good school?
Swarthmore College has a Repit College Score of 77/100 (Grade: B+). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (A+): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (F): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (A): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (A+): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (A): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Swarthmore College?
Swarthmore College has a total enrollment of 1,644 students. Most students (98%) are traditional college-age (18-24).

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🎓 Similar Colleges to Swarthmore College

Compare with other 4-Year private non-profit institutions of similar size.

B+
Haverford College
Haverford, PA · 1,424 students
B+
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA · 3,892 students
B+
Lafayette College
Easton, PA · 2,764 students
B
Dickinson College
Carlisle, PA · 2,217 students
B
Franklin and Marshall College
Lancaster, PA · 1,911 students
B
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA · 1,666 students

Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology