Oxy vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

Compare Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA with Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Occidental College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (1,881 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Occidental College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Occidental College 9:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Oxy vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy 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 Oxy ($22,469 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Occidental College are 5.2% lower than at Swarthmore College ($19,252 vs. $20,308).
• Occidental College is 1.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $780 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at Oxy than at Swarthmore College (about $780 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at Swarthmore College (75% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 69.3% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($61,634 vs. $36,400).

Oxy vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oxy 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 Oxy.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 80 points higher than at Oxy (1450).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Oxy).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 1380/1520; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Oxy vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy 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 Occidental College's (83%).
• Graduates from Swarthmore College earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than Oxy graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $56,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $4,152 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($19,500 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($201 vs. $244).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oxy students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 87%)

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.