Oberlin vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

Oberlin College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Oberlin College is located in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Oberlin College 9:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Oberlin vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oberlin 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 Oberlin ($22,469 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oberlin College are 3.9% lower than at Swarthmore College ($19,510 vs. $20,308).
• Oberlin College is 2.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $1,872 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at Oberlin than at Swarthmore College (about $1,872 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Swarthmore College (99% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 72.3% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($61,634 vs. $35,780).

Oberlin vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oberlin 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 Oberlin.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 90 points higher than at Oberlin (1440).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Oberlin).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oberlin College 1360/1520; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oberlin College 31/34; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oberlin - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oberlin Jan 15, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• Oberlin has a higher acceptance rate (34.2%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Oberlin vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Oberlin vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oberlin 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 Oberlin College's (88%).
• Graduates from Swarthmore College earn a median of about $21,900 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $7,079 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($201 vs. $274).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 82%)

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.