Northeastern University Oakland vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

Compare Northeastern University Oakland in Oakland, CA with Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Swarthmore College is larger than Northeastern University Oakland based on total student enrollment (1,623 students vs. 640 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Northeastern University Oakland vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern University Oakland 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 Northeastern University Oakland ($22,469 vs. $27,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern University Oakland are 3.6% lower than at Swarthmore College ($19,580 vs. $20,308).
• Northeastern University Oakland is 3.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $2,284 more per year; $67,778.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.5% higher at Northeastern University Oakland than at Swarthmore College (about $2,284 more per year; $67,778.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University Oakland than at Swarthmore College (67% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 6.4% larger than aid received by Northeastern University Oakland students ($61,634 vs. $57,948).

Northeastern University Oakland vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northeastern University Oakland 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 Northeastern University Oakland.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 60 points higher than at Northeastern University Oakland (1470).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Northeastern University Oakland).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern University Oakland 1420/1520; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern University Oakland 32/33; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northeastern University Oakland - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Northeastern University Oakland (3.57).
• Northeastern University Oakland has a higher acceptance rate (16.7%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.9% at Northeastern University Oakland vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Northeastern University Oakland vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northeastern University Oakland 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 Northeastern University Oakland's (57%).
• Graduates from Swarthmore College earn a median of about $21,400 more per year than Northeastern University Oakland graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $44,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Northeastern University Oakland graduates ($19,500 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern University Oakland graduates ($201 vs. $242).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern University Oakland students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 66%)

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.