Swarthmore vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

Compare Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA with University of Virginia Main Campus in Charlottesville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Virginia Main Campus is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (26,409 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Swarthmore College is located in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting); University of Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Swarthmore College 7:1; University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

Swarthmore vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Swarthmore or UVA? 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 University of Virginia Main Campus than Swarthmore ($18,427 vs. $22,469).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Virginia Main Campus are 27.1% lower than at Swarthmore College ($14,800 vs. $20,308).
• Swarthmore College is 200.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVA (about $43,691 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $21,803.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.1% higher at Swarthmore than at University of Virginia Main Campus (about $5,982 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $59,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Swarthmore College than at University of Virginia Main Campus (57% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 114.6% larger than aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students ($61,634 vs. $28,715).

Swarthmore vs. UVA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 50 points higher than at UVA (1480).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at UVA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Swarthmore College 1490/1560; University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Swarthmore College 33/35; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Swarthmore - Test optional; UVA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at UVA (3.85).
• UVA has a higher acceptance rate (16.8%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.8% at Swarthmore vs. 40% at UVA.

Swarthmore vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Swarthmore and UVA? 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 University of Virginia Main Campus's (94%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia Main Campus and Swarthmore graduates have the same median loan debt ($19,500 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, University of Virginia Main Campus and Swarthmore graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($201 vs. $201).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UVA students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 86%)

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.