Swarthmore vs. PHC

Comparable Facts

Compare Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA with Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, Virginia on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Swarthmore College is larger than PHC based on total student enrollment (1,623 students vs. 425 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Swarthmore College is located in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting); Patrick Henry College is in Purcellville, Virginia (Town Fringe setting).
• Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Patrick Henry College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Swarthmore College 7:1; Patrick Henry College 14:1.

Swarthmore vs. PHC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Swarthmore or PHC? 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 PHC ($22,469 vs. $25,869).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Patrick Henry College are 45.7% lower than at Swarthmore College ($11,020 vs. $20,308).
• Swarthmore College is 130.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than PHC (about $37,069 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $28,425.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 130.4% higher at Swarthmore than at Patrick Henry College (about $37,069 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $28,425.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Patrick Henry College than at Swarthmore College (100% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 361.9% larger than aid received by Patrick Henry College students ($61,634 vs. $13,345).

Swarthmore vs. PHC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Swarthmore or PHC? 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 PHC and Swarthmore.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 200 points higher than at PHC (1330).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at PHC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Swarthmore College 1490/1560; Patrick Henry College 1240/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Swarthmore College 33/35; Patrick Henry College 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Swarthmore - Test optional; PHC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027; PHC Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at PHC (3.83).
• PHC has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.8% at Swarthmore vs. 47.6% at PHC.

Swarthmore vs. PHC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Swarthmore and PHC? 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).

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.