Skidmore College vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

Compare Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY with Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Skidmore College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (2,704 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Skidmore College is located in Saratoga Springs, NY (Small Suburban setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Skidmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Skidmore College 8:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Skidmore College vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Skidmore College 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 Skidmore College ($22,469 vs. $31,187).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Skidmore College are 11.7% lower than at Swarthmore College ($17,940 vs. $20,308).
• Skidmore College is 2.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $1,796 more per year; $67,290.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at Skidmore College than at Swarthmore College (about $1,796 more per year; $67,290.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Swarthmore College than at Skidmore College (57% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 14% larger than aid received by Skidmore College students ($61,634 vs. $54,083).

Skidmore College vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Skidmore College 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 Skidmore College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 120 points higher than at Skidmore College (1410).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Skidmore College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Skidmore College 1340/1480; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Skidmore College 31/33; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Skidmore College - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Skidmore College Jan 15, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Skidmore College (3.75).
• Skidmore College has a higher acceptance rate (21.1%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.6% at Skidmore College vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Skidmore College vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Skidmore College 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 Skidmore College's (84%).
• Graduates from Swarthmore College earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than Skidmore College graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $54,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College and Skidmore College graduates have the same median loan debt ($19,500 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Swarthmore College and Skidmore College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($201 vs. $201).
• More Skidmore College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Swarthmore students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.