Princeton vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

Princeton University is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Princeton vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton 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 Princeton University than Swarthmore ($15,313 vs. $22,469).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Princeton University are 0.3% lower than at Swarthmore College ($20,250 vs. $20,308).
• Swarthmore College is 4.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $2,806 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at Swarthmore than at Princeton University (about $2,806 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at Swarthmore College (67% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 11.5% larger than aid received by Swarthmore College students ($68,727 vs. $61,634).

Princeton vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton 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 Princeton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 20 points higher than at Swarthmore (1530).
• Incoming Princeton 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: Princeton University 1510/1580; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Swarthmore (3.9).
• Swarthmore has a higher acceptance rate (7.5%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Princeton vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Swarthmore College's (95%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $48,100 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $12,000 lower median loan debt than Swarthmore graduates ($7,500 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Swarthmore graduates ($77 vs. $201).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 83%)

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.