George Washington vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

George Washington University is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (25,374 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• George Washington University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• George Washington University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: George Washington University 13:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

George Washington vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, George Washington 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 George Washington ($22,469 vs. $46,485).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Washington University are 16.7% lower than at Swarthmore College ($16,920 vs. $20,308).
• George Washington University is 3.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $2,216 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.4% higher at George Washington than at Swarthmore College (about $2,216 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Washington University than at Swarthmore College (78% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 64.4% larger than aid received by George Washington University students ($61,634 vs. $37,500).

George Washington vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, George Washington 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 George Washington.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 100 points higher than at George Washington (1430).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at George Washington).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 1350/1500; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 31/34; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: George Washington - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: George Washington Jan 5, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at George Washington (3.81).
• George Washington has a higher acceptance rate (47.1%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at George Washington vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

George Washington vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for George Washington 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 George Washington University's (81%).
• Graduates from George Washington University earn a median of about $14,700 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,500 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $5,462 lower median loan debt than George Washington graduates ($19,500 vs. $24,962).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than George Washington graduates ($201 vs. $258).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former George Washington students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 82%)

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.