Swarthmore College campus
Swarthmore College logo

Swarthmore College

Type 4 year, Private
Business Model Non Profit
Campus locale Suburb: Large
Degrees offered Undergraduate
Calendar system Semester
Student body size Small
Common app member Yes
Dormitory capacity 1,605
Student to faculty ratio 8 to 1
Acceptance rate 8%
Students retention rate 95%
On-time graduation rate 94%

Located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, Swarthmore is a private, non profit institution that offers undergraduate degrees. The college operates on a semester-based calendar system, providing students with structured academic terms.

The acceptance rate at Swarthmore is 8%, indicating that the institution is quite selective in its admissions process. This can be seen as a positive aspect for those seeking a competitive and academically rigorous environment.

Swarthmore College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, ensuring that the institution meets certain standards of quality and effectiveness. This accreditation also allows students to transfer credits to other accredited institutions if they choose to continue their education elsewhere.

With a students-to-faculty ratio of 8-to-1, Swarthmore emphasizes small class sizes, fostering a supportive and interactive learning environment.

Swarthmore boasts an impressive student retention rate of 95% , indicating that the majority of students choose to continue their education at the institution. This number surpasses both the state and national averages of 75% and 74%, respectively.


  • Accredited by: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
  • The institution provides on-campus housing
  • Freshman students are required to live on campus

Acceptance Rate

Fall 2021 admitted students

7.8%

In-State Tuition & Fees

$56,056

Cost of attendance at Swarthmore College in 2022 for students from Pennsylvania.

See how the college's in-state sticker price compares to 4 year Non Profit, private colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Pennsylvania's average $13,083
National average $30,235

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$56,056

Cost of attendance at Swarthmore College in 2022 for the out-of-state and international students

See how the college's out-of-state sticker price compares to 4 year Non Profit, private colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Pennsylvania's average $21,410
National average $30,238

Average Grant & Scholarships

In 2022, 76 of freshman students at Swarthmore College received on average $40,072 in grant and scholarships from the college, the state and/or the federal government. Below is detail stats of the aid provided to full-time, freshman students.

$40,072
Students Receiving Aid Average Amount Total Amount
Pell Grant 82 22% $4,795 $393,193
Other Federal Grant 283 76% $3,243 $917,863
State Grant/Scholarships 20 5% $2,059 $41,180
Institutional Grant/Scholarships 202 54% $51,790 $10,461,617
Total Grant & Scholarships 285 76% $40,072 $11,420,660

Graduation Rate

The following chart shows the graduation rate of Swarthmore College students who enrolled in 2015 and after. The stat covers all undergraduates registered as full-time students to study a 4-year bachelor's degree program for the first time.

The breakdown shows the graduation rate by race/ethnicity of US students. All international students are represented under one group.

As of August 31, 2021, the average graduation rate of Swarthmore College students is 94.1%. Female students graduated at a rate of 93.4%, whereas male students graduated at a rate of 94.8%.

94.1%

  • asian 94.9% 74 students
  • African American 96.3% 26 students
  • white 94.6% 156 students
  • unknown 100.0% 8 students
  • hispanic 87.5% 42 students
  • International Students 96.2% 50 students
  • Mixed Race 92.6% 25 students

Sport Conferences

  • Baseball Centennial Conference
  • Basketball Centennial Conference
  • Track and Cross Country Centennial Conference

Athletic Associations

  • NCAA
    National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Service Offerings

Swarthmore College provides the following additional services to its students
  • Placement services for graduates
  • Academic/career counseling services
  • Employment services for students

Educational Offerings

Swarthmore College offers educational programs in the following categories. Check the programs section to learn more about specific programs that you are interested in.
  • Academic

Special Learning Opportunities

  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification

Veteran Services

  • Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military service-members, and their families
  • Yellow Ribbon Program (officially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)

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