Swarthmore vs. Vanderbilt

Comparable Facts

Compare Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA with Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Vanderbilt University is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (13,575 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Swarthmore College is located in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting); Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanderbilt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Swarthmore College 7:1; Vanderbilt University 8:1.

Swarthmore vs. Vanderbilt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Swarthmore or Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt ($22,469 vs. $25,186).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Swarthmore College are 7.9% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($20,308 vs. $22,054).
• Vanderbilt University is 3.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $2,004 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at Vanderbilt than at Swarthmore College (about $2,004 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanderbilt University than at Swarthmore College (67% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vanderbilt University students is 4.5% larger than aid received by Swarthmore College students ($64,404 vs. $61,634).

Swarthmore vs. Vanderbilt Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vanderbilt University (1540) is 10 points higher than at Swarthmore (1530).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Vanderbilt (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Swarthmore College 1490/1560; Vanderbilt University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Swarthmore College 33/35; Vanderbilt University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Swarthmore - Test optional; Vanderbilt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Vanderbilt (3.89).
• Swarthmore has a higher acceptance rate (7.5%) than Vanderbilt (5.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.8% at Swarthmore vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

Swarthmore vs. Vanderbilt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Swarthmore and Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt University's (92%).
• Graduates from Vanderbilt University earn a median of about $17,300 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanderbilt University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Swarthmore graduates ($14,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Vanderbilt graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Swarthmore graduates ($144 vs. $201).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanderbilt 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.