Northeastern vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

Northeastern University is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northeastern University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern University 16:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Northeastern vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern 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 ($22,469 vs. $34,207).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern University are 3.6% lower than at Swarthmore College ($19,580 vs. $20,308).
• Northeastern University is 1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $668 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at Northeastern than at Swarthmore College (about $668 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University than at Swarthmore College (66% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 22.2% larger than aid received by Northeastern University students ($61,634 vs. $50,421).

Northeastern vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northeastern 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.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 40 points higher than at Northeastern (1490).
• Incoming Northeastern 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: Northeastern University 1440/1540; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern University 33/35; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northeastern - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Jan 1, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northeastern students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Swarthmore (3.9).
• Swarthmore has a higher acceptance rate (7.5%) than Northeastern (5.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Northeastern vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Northeastern vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northeastern 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's (77%).
• Graduates from Northeastern University earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,500 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $8,375 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $87 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($201 vs. $288).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 79%)

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.