Hamilton College vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

Hamilton College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (2,031 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hamilton College is located in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Hamilton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hamilton College 9:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Hamilton College vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hamilton College 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 Hamilton College ($22,469 vs. $28,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 13.8% lower than at Swarthmore College ($17,510 vs. $20,308).
• Hamilton College is 5.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $3,466 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.3% higher at Hamilton College than at Swarthmore College (about $3,466 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Swarthmore College than at Hamilton College (57% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 11% larger than aid received by Hamilton College students ($61,634 vs. $55,511).

Hamilton College vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hamilton College 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 Hamilton College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 30 points higher than at Hamilton College (1500).
• Incoming Hamilton College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Swarthmore (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hamilton College 1450/1550; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hamilton College 33/35; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hamilton College - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Hamilton College (3.87).
• Hamilton College has a higher acceptance rate (13.6%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at Hamilton College vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Hamilton College vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hamilton College 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 Hamilton College's (89%).
• Graduates from Hamilton College earn a median of about $13,200 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,000 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $3,740 lower median loan debt than Swarthmore graduates ($15,760 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Swarthmore graduates ($162 vs. $201).
• More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Swarthmore students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.