Emory vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

Emory University is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (15,175 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emory University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large Suburban setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Emory University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emory University 10:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Emory vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emory 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 Emory ($22,469 vs. $27,303).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emory University are 0.4% lower than at Swarthmore College ($20,220 vs. $20,308).
• Swarthmore College is 1.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emory (about $1,214 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $64,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at Swarthmore than at Emory University (about $1,214 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $64,280.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Swarthmore College than at Emory University (57% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 9.4% larger than aid received by Emory University students ($61,634 vs. $56,319).

Emory vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emory 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 Emory.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 20 points higher than at Emory (1510).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Emory).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emory University 1470/1550; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emory University 32/35; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emory - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emory Jan 1, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Emory (3.8).
• Emory has a higher acceptance rate (10.6%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.4% at Emory vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Emory vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emory 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 Emory University's (90%).
• Graduates from Emory University earn a median of about $15,700 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,500 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emory University graduates have a $2,267 lower median loan debt than Swarthmore graduates ($17,233 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Emory graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Swarthmore graduates ($178 vs. $201).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emory students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 80%)

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.