Swarthmore College: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Swarthmore College is a private institution located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania and one of the most selective schools in the country. For the most recent reporting cycle, Swarthmore College admits fewer than 1 in 10 applicants, with an overall admission rate of 8%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1520 and an ACT composite around 34. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $23,149 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Swarthmore College?

Successful applicants to Swarthmore College typically present unweighted GPAs at or near 4.0 with the most rigorous course load their school offers, including multiple AP, IB, or dual-enrollment courses.

What does Swarthmore College weight in admissions?

Swarthmore College reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean

SAT and ACT scores Swarthmore College typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 750–790, with an EBRW midpoint near 740. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 33–35. Scores below the 25th-percentile mark are accepted occasionally, but the realistic submission target for most families is the school's middle-50 floor or higher.

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

How much does Swarthmore College actually cost?

Published tuition is $65,494 for in-state students and $65,494 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $20,308 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $23,149 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 19% of students receive Pell Grants.

Application deadlines and early decision data for Swarthmore College

Will my child graduate from Swarthmore College?

These predict outcomes at Swarthmore College better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Most popular majors at Swarthmore College

The most popular undergraduate programs at Swarthmore College, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Economics, Computer and Information Sciences, General and Mathematics. Across all programs, Swarthmore College confers roughly 326 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Economics program report a median income of about $136,021 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

Is Swarthmore College safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Swarthmore College disclosed 8 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 5.0 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 4 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

What is campus life like at Swarthmore College?

About 94% of undergraduates at Swarthmore College live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 0% of men join a fraternity and 0% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Other colleges in Pennsylvania parents ask about

• Haverford College
  12% acceptance
• Lafayette College
  31% acceptance
• York College of Pennsylvania
  74% acceptance
• Westminster College
  93% acceptance
• West Chester University of Pennsylvania
  78% acceptance
• Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
  87% acceptance
• Millersville University of Pennsylvania
  86% acceptance
• Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus
  91% acceptance

Common questions parents ask about Swarthmore College