Swarthmore vs. Providence

Comparable Facts

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

Providence College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (4,666 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Swarthmore College is located in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting); Providence College is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Providence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Swarthmore College 7:1; Providence College 11:1.

Swarthmore vs. Providence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Swarthmore or Providence? 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 Providence ($22,469 vs. $48,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Providence College are 12.2% lower than at Swarthmore College ($17,840 vs. $20,308).
• Swarthmore College is 3.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Providence (about $1,944 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $63,550.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at Swarthmore than at Providence College (about $1,944 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $63,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Providence College than at Swarthmore College (83% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 93.4% larger than aid received by Providence College students ($61,634 vs. $31,873).

Swarthmore vs. Providence Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 210 points higher than at Providence (1320).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Providence).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Swarthmore College 1490/1560; Providence College 1250/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Swarthmore College 33/35; Providence College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Swarthmore - Test optional; Providence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027; Providence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Providence (3.47).
• Providence has a higher acceptance rate (50.9%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.8% at Swarthmore vs. 19.2% at Providence.

Swarthmore vs. Providence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Swarthmore and Providence? 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 Providence College's (85%).
• Graduates from Providence College earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,000 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Providence graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Providence graduates ($201 vs. $279).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Providence students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 80%)

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.