Grinnell vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

Grinnell College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (1,788 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Grinnell vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell 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 Grinnell ($22,469 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 17.1% lower than at Swarthmore College ($16,842 vs. $20,308).
• Grinnell College is 4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $2,612 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at Grinnell than at Swarthmore College (about $2,612 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Swarthmore College (94% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 25.6% larger than aid received by Grinnell College students ($61,634 vs. $49,077).

Grinnell vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Grinnell 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 Grinnell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 50 points higher than at Grinnell (1480).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Grinnell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Grinnell (3.89).
• Grinnell has a higher acceptance rate (14.5%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Grinnell vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell 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 Grinnell College's (88%).
• Graduates from Swarthmore College earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than Grinnell graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $6,330 lower median loan debt than Swarthmore graduates ($13,170 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Swarthmore graduates ($136 vs. $201).
• More Grinnell 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.