Fordham vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

Fordham University is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (16,150 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fordham University is located in Bronx, NY (Large City setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Fordham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fordham University 14:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Fordham vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fordham 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 Fordham ($22,469 vs. $48,190).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Swarthmore College are 15.7% lower than at Fordham University ($20,308 vs. $24,090).
• Swarthmore College is 0.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fordham (about $579 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $64,915.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.9% higher at Swarthmore than at Fordham University (about $579 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $64,915.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fordham University than at Swarthmore College (95% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 71.3% larger than aid received by Fordham University students ($61,634 vs. $35,988).

Fordham vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fordham 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 Fordham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 130 points higher than at Fordham (1400).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Fordham).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fordham University 1320/1480; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fordham University 30/33; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fordham - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fordham Jan 1, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Fordham (3.67).
• Fordham has a higher acceptance rate (59.3%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.7% at Fordham vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Fordham vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fordham 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 Fordham University's (78%).
• Graduates from Swarthmore College earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Fordham graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $64,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Fordham graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fordham graduates ($201 vs. $268).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fordham 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.