NC State vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC with Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

NC State vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC State 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh than Swarthmore ($15,522 vs. $22,469).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 29.4% lower than at Swarthmore College ($14,332 vs. $20,308).
• Swarthmore College is 644.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $56,695 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 99.4% higher at Swarthmore than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $32,647 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Swarthmore College than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (57% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 427.9% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($61,634 vs. $11,675).

NC State vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NC State 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 NC State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 140 points higher than at NC State (1390).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at NC State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at NC State (3.83).
• NC State has a higher acceptance rate (41.7%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

NC State vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NC State 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh's (72%).
• Graduates from Swarthmore College earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than NC State graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $57,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $1,282 lower median loan debt than NC State graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,782).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NC State graduates ($201 vs. $214).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NC State students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 76%)

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.