Purchase College vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY with Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY at Purchase College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (3,333 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY at Purchase College is located in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY at Purchase College 12:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Purchase College vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Purchase 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 SUNY at Purchase College than Swarthmore ($18,211 vs. $22,469).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 19.1% lower than at Swarthmore College ($16,436 vs. $20,308).
• Swarthmore College is 631.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $56,541 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 241.1% higher at Swarthmore than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $46,291 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY at Purchase College than at Swarthmore College (72% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 490.8% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($61,634 vs. $10,432).

Purchase College vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 250 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 27/30; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Purchase College - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purchase College Jul 1, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Purchase College vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Purchase College vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Purchase 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 SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Swarthmore College earn a median of about $25,600 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Purchase College graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Purchase College graduates ($201 vs. $232).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 65%)

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.