Connecticut College vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

Compare Connecticut College in New London, CT with Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Connecticut College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (1,990 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Connecticut College is located in New London, CT (Small City setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Connecticut College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Connecticut College 9:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Connecticut College vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Connecticut 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 Connecticut College ($22,469 vs. $45,700).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Connecticut College are 8.6% lower than at Swarthmore College ($18,558 vs. $20,308).
• Connecticut College is 2.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $1,748 more per year; $67,242.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at Connecticut College than at Swarthmore College (about $1,748 more per year; $67,242.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Connecticut College than at Swarthmore College (100% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 58.3% larger than aid received by Connecticut College students ($61,634 vs. $38,932).

Connecticut College vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 100 points higher than at Connecticut College (1430).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Connecticut College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Connecticut College 1350/1500; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Connecticut College 30/33; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Connecticut College - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Connecticut College Jan 1, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Connecticut College (3.7).
• Connecticut College has a higher acceptance rate (37%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Connecticut College vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Connecticut College vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Connecticut 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 Connecticut College's (84%).
• Graduates from Swarthmore College earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Connecticut College graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $60,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $4,050 lower median loan debt than Connecticut College graduates ($19,500 vs. $23,550).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Connecticut College graduates ($201 vs. $243).
• More Connecticut College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Swarthmore students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.