Penn State York vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

Swarthmore College is larger than Penn State York based on total student enrollment (1,623 students vs. 677 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Penn State York is located in York, PA (Midsize Suburban setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Penn State York is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Penn State York 14:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Penn State York vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Penn State York 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 Penn State York than Swarthmore ($18,887 vs. $22,469).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State York are 24.8% lower than at Swarthmore College ($15,274 vs. $20,308).
• Swarthmore College is 330.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State York (about $50,286 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 157.9% higher at Swarthmore than at Penn State York (about $40,102 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State York than at Swarthmore College (80% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 603.9% larger than aid received by Penn State York students ($61,634 vs. $8,756).

Penn State York vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Penn State York 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 Penn State York.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 380 points higher than at Penn State York (1150).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 25 at Penn State York).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State York 1050/1245; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Penn State York 22/28; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Penn State York - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Penn State York has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.7% at Penn State York vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Penn State York vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Penn State York 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 Penn State York's (45%).
• Graduates from Swarthmore College earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than Penn State York graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $7,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State York graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State York graduates ($201 vs. $277).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State York students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 69%)

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.