Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA · Large suburb
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 7.5%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 14,287
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 992
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 415
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 42%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 6.0%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 8.2%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- 740–770
- SAT math, middle 50%
- 750–790
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- 33–35
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- 40% / 14%
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- considered
- High school class rank
- considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- considered
- Recommendations
- required
- Demonstration of competencies
- considered
- SAT/ACT scores
- considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- considered
- Other test
- not considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- required
- Legacy status
- considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $84,103
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $65,494
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $65,494
- Median debt at graduation
- $17,500
- Students with federal loans
- 11%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 92%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 94%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $43,698
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $80,257
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 1,613
- Graduate students
- —
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 7 : 1
- Women
- 52%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 19%
- Full-time faculty
- 94%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- President
- Valerie Smith
- Main phone
- (610) 328-8000
- Address
- 500 College Ave, Swarthmore, PA 19081
How to apply (2026–27)
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (binding) | November 15 | mid-December |
| Early Decision II (binding) | January 4 | mid-February |
| Regular Decision | January 4 | April 1 |
- Apply with
- Common App, Coalition/Scoir, QuestBridge
- Application fee
- $60 (waivers available)
- SAT/ACT
- Optional
- Essays
- 2 required short answers (max 250 words each)
- Recommendations
- 1 counselor + 2 teachers
- Interview
- evaluative optional
Testing: Non-submitters are not penalized
Financial aid policies
- Need-blind for U.S. applicants
- Meets 100% of demonstrated need
- No-loan financial aid
- CSS Profile required (plus FAFSA)
- Covers at least tuition for families earning $200,000 or less, starting fall 2027
Early rounds & waitlist (2025-2026)
- Early Decision admit rate
- 17.8% (228 of 1,281)
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2025-2026: swarthmore.edu, swarthmore.edu, swarthmore.edu, swarthmore.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.