Columbia vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia University in the City of New York is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Columbia vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia 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 Columbia ($22,469 vs. $22,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 13.4% lower than at Swarthmore College ($17,580 vs. $20,308).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 9.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $6,351 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.7% higher at Columbia than at Swarthmore College (about $6,351 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Swarthmore College than at Columbia University in the City of New York (57% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 8.7% larger than aid received by Swarthmore College students ($67,010 vs. $61,634).

Columbia vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia 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 Columbia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 20 points higher than at Swarthmore (1530).
• Incoming Columbia 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: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Swarthmore (3.9).
• Swarthmore has a higher acceptance rate (7.5%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Columbia vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia 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 Columbia University in the City of New York's (93%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $41,800 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($201 vs. $222).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 76%)

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.