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Swarthmore College

Swarthmore, PA·Private·www.swarthmore.edu/

Campus Identity

NCAA D3Greek Life

Swarthmore College is a small private nonprofit college in Swarthmore, PA. Approximately 1,613 students are enrolled. Admissions are highly selective with a 7% acceptance rate. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 29/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Swarthmore College is a small private nonprofit college in Swarthmore, PA. Approximately 1,613 students are enrolled. Admissions are highly selective with a 7% acceptance rate. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 29/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

7%
Acceptance Rate
13,065 applications
34
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 33–35
$65,494
2024-25 Tuition
$23,149
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$20,308
Room & Board
99 meals/week
1,613
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
44%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
92%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity7% · Selective
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

740760770

SAT Math

750780790

Campus Lifestyle

Swarthmore College is a 1,000–4,999, suburban school with NCAA D3 athletics and an active Greek scene. The campus is 62 miles from Atlantic City, NJ and 26 miles from Spring Mountain Ski Area.

Athletics

NCAA D3

Centennial

Greek Life

Active Organizations

Fraternities & sororities present

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Suburban setting

Beach Access

62 miles

Atlantic City, NJ

Weather

Warm Climate

50°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

Swarthmore College students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Spring Mountain Ski Area, 26 miles away with 6 lifts and 45 skiable acres. All are within 62 miles of campus.

Spring Mountain Ski Area

Pennsylvania

26 mi away
45 skiable acres6 lifts
42 mi away
86 skiable acres6 lifts
62 mi away
171 skiable acres16 liftsNo Waffle Cabin

Nearest Beach

Students at Swarthmore College are 62 miles from Atlantic City, NJ.

Atlantic City, NJ

Ocean access within 62.1 miles

62 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Swarthmore, PA

Swarthmore has a mild climate, with winters averaging 35°F in Jan and summers peaking around 80°F in Jul.

35°Jan37°Feb44°Mar55°Apr65°May74°Jun80°Jul78°Aug71°Sep59°Oct49°Nov40°Dec

Station: MARCUS HOOK · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

Swarthmore College in PA earns a composite safety score of 29/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.

29/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety292534
29/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
25/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
34/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$65,494
Fees
$200
Room & Board
$20,308
Total
$86,002
App Fee: $60
Meal Plan: 99 meals/week
$23,149avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

69 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

EconomicsBachelor's
76 grads/yr$128,051
Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralBachelor's
73 grads/yr$150,942
MathematicsBachelor's
49 grads/yr
Political Science and GovernmentBachelor's
37 grads/yr$58,372
Engineering, GeneralBachelor's
33 grads/yr$78,519

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Computer and Information Sciences, General
Bachelor's73 grads$150,942
Economics
Bachelor's76 grads$128,051
Engineering, General
Bachelor's33 grads$78,519
Political Science and Government
Bachelor's37 grads$58,372
Biology, General
Bachelor's20 grads$57,754
Mathematics
Bachelor's49 grads
Research and Experimental Psychology
Bachelor's29 grads
Neurobiology and Neurosciences
Bachelor's18 grads
English Language and Literature, General
Bachelor's17 grads
Sociology and Anthropology
Bachelor's16 grads

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Swarthmore College located?

Swarthmore College is located in Swarthmore, PA. The main campus address is 500 College Ave, Swarthmore, PA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Swarthmore College?

Swarthmore College has an acceptance rate of 7%, making it extremely selective. Out of 13,065 applicants, 975 were admitted in the most recent year. 1,613 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Swarthmore College?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Swarthmore College scored between 33 and 35 on the ACT, with a median of 34. About 16% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Swarthmore College?

For the 2024-25 academic year, Swarthmore College charges $65,494/year in tuition. Including room and board ($20,308/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $56,056/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $23,149/year — what students actually pay. Use Swarthmore College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for Swarthmore College?

The undergraduate application fee at Swarthmore College is $60. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Does Swarthmore College have college sports?

Yes — Swarthmore College competes at the NCAA D3 level in the Centennial. Division III programs emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic competition, without athletic scholarships.

Is Swarthmore College the right fit for me?

Whether Swarthmore College is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (7% admit rate), avg net price ($23,149/year after aid), campus culture in Swarthmore, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Swarthmore College against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Swarthmore College directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

Apply NowVisit Official Website

Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Swarthmore, PA
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's
NCAA
NCAA D3
Conference
Centennial
School Year Weather
Warm · 50°F avg
App Fee
$60
On Campus Safety Score
29/100
Nearest Airport
Philadelphia, PA (PHL) · 6 mialso ILG (21 mi), PNE (22 mi)

Location

Swarthmore, PA

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.