Case Western vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

Compare Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH with Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Case Western Reserve University is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (12,475 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Case Western Reserve University is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Case Western Reserve University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Case Western Reserve University 9:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Case Western vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Case Western 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 Case Western ($22,469 vs. $44,000).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Case Western Reserve University are 7.6% lower than at Swarthmore College ($18,762 vs. $20,308).
• Case Western Reserve University is 1.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $1,114 more per year; $66,608.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.7% higher at Case Western than at Swarthmore College (about $1,114 more per year; $66,608.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Case Western Reserve University than at Swarthmore College (88% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 47.1% larger than aid received by Case Western Reserve University students ($61,634 vs. $41,913).

Case Western vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Case Western 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 Case Western.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 40 points higher than at Case Western (1490).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Case Western).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Case Western Reserve University 1430/1540; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Case Western Reserve University 32/34; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Case Western - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Case Western Jan 15, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Case Western (3.86).
• Case Western has a higher acceptance rate (36.5%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.9% at Case Western vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Case Western vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Case Western 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 Case Western Reserve University's (78%).
• Graduates from Case Western Reserve University earn a median of about $18,900 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($84,700 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $4,566 lower median loan debt than Case Western graduates ($19,500 vs. $24,066).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Case Western graduates ($201 vs. $248).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Case Western students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 84%)

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.