Johns Hopkins vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

Compare Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD with Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Johns Hopkins University is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (30,210 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Johns Hopkins University is located in Baltimore, MD (Large City setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Johns Hopkins University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Johns Hopkins University 6:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Johns Hopkins vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Johns Hopkins 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 Johns Hopkins ($22,469 vs. $26,017).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Johns Hopkins University are 0.8% lower than at Swarthmore College ($20,150 vs. $20,308).
• Swarthmore College is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Johns Hopkins (about $264 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $65,230.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at Swarthmore than at Johns Hopkins University (about $264 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $65,230.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Johns Hopkins University than at Swarthmore College (60% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 2.8% larger than aid received by Johns Hopkins University students ($61,634 vs. $59,977).

Johns Hopkins vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Johns Hopkins 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 Johns Hopkins.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Johns Hopkins University (1550) is 20 points higher than at Swarthmore (1530).
• Incoming Johns Hopkins students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Swarthmore).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Johns Hopkins University 1520/1570; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Johns Hopkins University 34/36; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Johns Hopkins - Required; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Johns Hopkins Jan 3, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Johns Hopkins students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Swarthmore (3.9).
• Swarthmore has a higher acceptance rate (7.5%) than Johns Hopkins (6.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47% at Johns Hopkins vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Johns Hopkins vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Johns Hopkins 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 Johns Hopkins University's (91%).
• Graduates from Johns Hopkins University earn a median of about $20,000 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Johns Hopkins University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Swarthmore graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Johns Hopkins graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Swarthmore graduates ($155 vs. $201).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Johns Hopkins students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 81%)

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.