Private nonprofit · Mostly bachelor's degrees · Large suburb

Swarthmore College

Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. 1,613 undergraduates. Admits 7% of applicants.

Pennsylvania colleges Official websiteIts net price calculator
92%Graduation rate37 pts above the national median for similar colleges (54%)
$17,392Average net price per year13% below the national median for similar colleges ($19,899)
$86,311Median earnings 10 years after starting47% above the national median for similar colleges ($58,912)
$15,000Median debt at graduation31% below the national median for similar colleges ($21,609)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($15,000) equals 17% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($86,311). That is a light load relative to pay.

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$6,966
$30,000–$48,000$7,978
$48,001–$75,000$18,171
$75,001–$110,000$14,741
Over $110,000$50,329

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $69,226.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate92%54%
Return for second year94%76%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$56,955$49,318
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$86,311$58,912
Median debt at graduation$15,000$21,609

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly bachelor's degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

42 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Computer and Information Sciences, General87$101,324$171,529$17,461
Economics78$87,244$132,818$12,000
Political Science and Government29$65,928$85,537—
Mathematics56$78,855——
Biology, General33—$56,012—
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution8$41,890——
Natural Resources Conservation and Research13———
Area Studies8———
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies1———
Education, General5———
Education, Other13———
Engineering, General29———
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services10———
East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics3———
Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics5———
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics10———
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics2———
English Language and Literature, General18———
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology11———
Neurobiology and Neurosciences15———
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General1———
International/Globalization Studies2———
Classical and Ancient Studies5———
Cognitive Science5———
Philosophy15———
Religion/Religious Studies13———
Astronomy and Astrophysics2———
Chemistry9———
Physics10———
Research and Experimental Psychology25———
Psychology, Other1———
Social Sciences, General1———
Anthropology8———
Criminology1———
Sociology and Anthropology13———
Social Sciences, Other4———
Dance4———
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft5———
Film/Video and Photographic Arts6———
Fine and Studio Arts24———
Music4———
History8———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Getting in

7%Admission rate
1,534Average SAT of admitted students
33–35ACT middle 50%
7:1Students per faculty member
24%Undergraduates with a Pell Grant

Similar colleges in Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University of PennsylvaniaSlippery Rock · net price $19,972 · grad rate 68%Geneva CollegeBeaver Falls · net price $19,090 · grad rate 63%Commonwealth University of PennsylvaniaBloomsburg · net price $17,468 · grad rate 54%Indiana University of PennsylvaniaIndiana · net price $17,391 · grad rate 52%Lycoming CollegeWilliamsport · net price $18,815 · grad rate 58%University of Pittsburgh-JohnstownJohnstown · net price $16,375 · grad rate 55%

Compare colleges side by side

Quick answers

How much does Swarthmore College cost per year?
The average net price at Swarthmore College, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $17,392 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Swarthmore College graduates earn?
Former Swarthmore College students earn a median of $86,311 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Swarthmore College?
92% of Swarthmore College students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Swarthmore College graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Swarthmore College is $15,000. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.