Cornell vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell University in Ithaca, NY with Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cornell University is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cornell vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell 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 Cornell ($22,469 vs. $26,361).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell University are 4.3% lower than at Swarthmore College ($19,428 vs. $20,308).
• Cornell University is 5.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $3,820 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.8% higher at Cornell than at Swarthmore College (about $3,820 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Swarthmore College than at Cornell University (57% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 0.2% larger than aid received by Swarthmore College students ($61,779 vs. $61,634).

Cornell vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornell 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 Cornell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 10 points higher than at Swarthmore (1530).
• Incoming Cornell 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: Cornell University 1500/1570; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 33/35; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell - Required; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cornell Jan 2, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell students have the same average high school GPA (3.9) as students at Swarthmore (3.9).
• Cornell has a higher acceptance rate (8.8%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 63.9% at Cornell vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Cornell vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell 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 Cornell University's (93%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $32,600 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Swarthmore graduates ($12,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $77 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Swarthmore graduates ($124 vs. $201).
• More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Swarthmore students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.