Drexel vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

Drexel University is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (21,153 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Drexel vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drexel 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 Drexel ($22,469 vs. $42,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drexel University are 10.9% lower than at Swarthmore College ($18,096 vs. $20,308).
• Swarthmore College is 4.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Drexel (about $3,082 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $62,412.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.9% higher at Swarthmore than at Drexel University (about $3,082 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $62,412.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drexel University than at Swarthmore College (100% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 75.8% larger than aid received by Drexel University students ($61,634 vs. $35,051).

Drexel vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Drexel 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 Drexel.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 190 points higher than at Drexel (1340).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Drexel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drexel University 1240/1440; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Drexel University 27/32; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drexel - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Drexel Jan 15, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Drexel (3.67).
• Drexel has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.1% at Drexel vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Drexel vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drexel 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 Drexel University's (68%).
• Graduates from Drexel University earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,400 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $6,743 lower median loan debt than Drexel graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,243).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drexel graduates ($201 vs. $271).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drexel students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 77%)

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.