Georgetown vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

Georgetown University is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (20,031 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Georgetown vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgetown 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 Georgetown ($22,469 vs. $39,083).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Swarthmore College are 1.4% lower than at Georgetown University ($20,308 vs. $20,596).
• Georgetown University is 3.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $2,523 more per year; $68,017.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at Georgetown than at Swarthmore College (about $2,523 more per year; $68,017.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Swarthmore College than at Georgetown University (57% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 24.1% larger than aid received by Georgetown University students ($61,634 vs. $49,658).

Georgetown vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Georgetown 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 Georgetown.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 60 points higher than at Georgetown (1470).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Georgetown).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgetown University 1390/1550; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgetown University 31/35; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Georgetown - Required; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Georgetown (3.89).
• Georgetown has a higher acceptance rate (12.9%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.7% at Georgetown vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Georgetown vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Georgetown 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 Georgetown University's (94%).
• Graduates from Georgetown University earn a median of about $53,100 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($118,900 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Georgetown University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Swarthmore graduates ($15,500 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Georgetown graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Swarthmore graduates ($160 vs. $201).
• More Georgetown graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Swarthmore students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.