Ithaca College vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

Ithaca College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (4,767 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ithaca College is located in Ithaca, NY (Small Suburban setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Ithaca College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ithaca College 10:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Ithaca College vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ithaca 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 Ithaca College ($22,469 vs. $35,253).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ithaca College are 20.3% lower than at Swarthmore College ($16,192 vs. $20,308).
• Swarthmore College is 22.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ithaca College (about $11,954 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $53,540.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.3% higher at Swarthmore than at Ithaca College (about $11,954 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $53,540.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ithaca College than at Swarthmore College (100% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 84.3% larger than aid received by Ithaca College students ($61,634 vs. $33,450).

Ithaca College vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 220 points higher than at Ithaca College (1310).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at Ithaca College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ithaca College 1230/1390; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ithaca College 27/30; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ithaca College - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ithaca College Feb 1, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Ithaca College has a higher acceptance rate (69%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at Ithaca College vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Ithaca College vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ithaca 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 Ithaca College's (74%).
• Graduates from Swarthmore College earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than Ithaca College graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $56,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $6,250 lower median loan debt than Ithaca College graduates ($19,500 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ithaca College graduates ($201 vs. $266).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ithaca College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 84%)

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.