EC vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

Swarthmore College is larger than EC based on total student enrollment (1,623 students vs. 786 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elmira College is located in Elmira, NY (Small City setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Elmira College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elmira College 11:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

EC vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EC 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 EC ($22,469 vs. $23,682).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elmira College are 28.4% lower than at Swarthmore College ($14,550 vs. $20,308).
• Swarthmore College is 68% more expensive for in-state tuition than EC (about $26,518 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68% higher at Swarthmore than at Elmira College (about $26,518 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elmira College than at Swarthmore College (100% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 114.2% larger than aid received by Elmira College students ($61,634 vs. $28,780).

EC vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EC 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 EC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 290 points higher than at EC (1240).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 27 at EC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmira College 1090/1385; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmira College 26/29; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EC - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.68 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at EC (3.22).
• EC has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at EC vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

EC vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EC 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 Elmira College's (60%).
• Graduates from Swarthmore College earn a median of about $19,800 more per year than EC graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than EC graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EC graduates ($201 vs. $279).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EC students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 72%)

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.