Duke vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

Duke University is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Duke University is located in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Duke University 5:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Duke vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duke 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 Duke University than Swarthmore ($21,981 vs. $22,469).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Duke University are 10.7% lower than at Swarthmore College ($18,128 vs. $20,308).
• Duke University is 5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $3,264 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5% higher at Duke than at Swarthmore College (about $3,264 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Swarthmore College than at Duke University (57% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 6.3% larger than aid received by Swarthmore College students ($65,522 vs. $61,634).

Duke vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Duke 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 Duke.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 10 points higher than at Swarthmore (1530).
• Incoming Duke 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: Duke University 1500/1570; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 34/35; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duke - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Swarthmore (3.9).
• Swarthmore has a higher acceptance rate (7.5%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 58.8% at Duke vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Duke vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duke 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 Duke University's (94%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $43,100 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $12,000 lower median loan debt than Swarthmore graduates ($7,500 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Swarthmore graduates ($77 vs. $201).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Swarthmore students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.