Carleton College vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

Carleton College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Carleton College vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carleton College 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 Swarthmore College than Carleton College ($22,469 vs. $28,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 13.4% lower than at Swarthmore College ($17,586 vs. $20,308).
• Carleton College is 5.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $3,398 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at Carleton College than at Swarthmore College (about $3,398 more per year; $68,892.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Swarthmore College (59% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 8.4% larger than aid received by Carleton College students ($61,634 vs. $56,846).

Carleton College vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carleton College 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 Carleton College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 20 points higher than at Carleton College (1510).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Carleton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 1450/1560; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 32/34; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carleton College - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carleton College students have the same average high school GPA (3.9) as students at Swarthmore (3.9).
• Carleton College has a higher acceptance rate (20.4%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Carleton College vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carleton College 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).

• Swarthmore College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Carleton College's (93%).
• Graduates from Swarthmore College earn a median of about $200 more per year than Carleton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $65,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College and Carleton College graduates have the same median loan debt ($19,500 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Swarthmore College and Carleton College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($201 vs. $201).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Swarthmore students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 87%)

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.