Amherst vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Amherst College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (1,914 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Amherst vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Swarthmore? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Amherst College than Swarthmore ($19,049 vs. $22,469).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 9.4% lower than at Swarthmore College ($18,390 vs. $20,308).
• Amherst College is 7.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $4,986 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.6% higher at Amherst than at Swarthmore College (about $4,986 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Swarthmore College (59% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 11.3% larger than aid received by Swarthmore College students ($68,591 vs. $61,634).

Amherst vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Amherst or Swarthmore? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Swarthmore and Amherst.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 10 points higher than at Swarthmore (1530).
• Incoming Amherst students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Swarthmore (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Swarthmore (3.9).
• Amherst has a higher acceptance rate (9%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Amherst vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Swarthmore? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Swarthmore College's (95%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $16,200 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $6,525 lower median loan debt than Swarthmore graduates ($12,975 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Swarthmore graduates ($134 vs. $201).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 83%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.