Swarthmore vs. Ursinus College

Comparable Facts

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

Swarthmore College is larger than Ursinus College based on total student enrollment (1,623 students vs. 1,502 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Swarthmore College is located in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting); Ursinus College is in Collegeville, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ursinus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Swarthmore College 7:1; Ursinus College 10:1.

Swarthmore vs. Ursinus College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Swarthmore or Ursinus College? 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 Ursinus College ($22,469 vs. $32,158).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ursinus College are 16.2% lower than at Swarthmore College ($17,028 vs. $20,308).
• Swarthmore College is 7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ursinus College (about $4,284 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $61,210.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7% higher at Swarthmore than at Ursinus College (about $4,284 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $61,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ursinus College than at Swarthmore College (100% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 37.7% larger than aid received by Ursinus College students ($61,634 vs. $44,754).

Swarthmore vs. Ursinus College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 240 points higher than at Ursinus College (1290).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Ursinus College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Swarthmore College 1490/1560; Ursinus College 1200/1385.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Swarthmore College 33/35; Ursinus College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Swarthmore - Test optional; Ursinus College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027; Ursinus College May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Ursinus College (3.53).
• Ursinus College has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.8% at Swarthmore vs. 12.5% at Ursinus College.

Swarthmore vs. Ursinus College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Swarthmore and Ursinus College? 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 Ursinus College's (80%).
• Graduates from Swarthmore College earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than Ursinus College graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Ursinus College graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ursinus College graduates ($201 vs. $279).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ursinus College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 83%)

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.