Swarthmore College
PrivateSwarthmore, PA
Located in Swarthmore, PA, Swarthmore College is a private small school with roughly 1,613 undergraduates. Swarthmore College is highly selective, with an acceptance rate near 7%. Among reported majors, Computer and Information Sciences, General shows the strongest outcomes -- $150,942/year in median earnings four years after graduation. On-campus housing is mandatory here.
Admissions
Cost & outcomes
From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.
Where do you stand against Swarthmore College's numbers?
Check your chances hereHow Swarthmore College weighs your application
From Swarthmore College's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?
See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what Swarthmore College weighs in your application
Paying it back
"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.
Majors & earnings
Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.
Campus life
Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.
What matters in your application
From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.
Frequently asked questions
What does Swarthmore College look for in applicants?
Per Swarthmore College's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates rigor of secondary school record, class rank, academic GPA, application essay, recommendations, character/personal qualities as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.
What is Swarthmore College's acceptance rate?
Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA admits approximately 7% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.
What SAT score do I need for Swarthmore College?
Admitted students at Swarthmore College typically score between 1490–1560 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).
What ACT score do I need for Swarthmore College?
Admitted students at Swarthmore College typically score between 33–35 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).
How much does Swarthmore College cost?
Swarthmore College's total cost of attendance is reported at $84,103 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.
When is the application deadline for Swarthmore College?
Swarthmore College's earliest deadline is Nov 15, 2026 (ED1), per its own published admissions calendar.
Does Swarthmore College require students to live on campus?
Yes -- Swarthmore College requires students to live in on-campus housing.
Related reading
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