Swarthmore vs. Villanova

Comparable Facts

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

Villanova University is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (10,041 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Swarthmore vs. Villanova Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Swarthmore or Villanova? 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 Villanova ($22,469 vs. $37,201).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Villanova University are 12.9% lower than at Swarthmore College ($17,694 vs. $20,308).
• Villanova University is 3.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $2,282 more per year; $67,776.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.5% higher at Villanova than at Swarthmore College (about $2,282 more per year; $67,776.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Swarthmore College than at Villanova University (57% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 29.5% larger than aid received by Villanova University students ($61,634 vs. $47,609).

Swarthmore vs. Villanova Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 80 points higher than at Villanova (1450).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Villanova).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Swarthmore College 1490/1560; Villanova University 1395/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Swarthmore College 33/35; Villanova University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Swarthmore - Test optional; Villanova - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027; Villanova Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Villanova (3.87).
• Villanova has a higher acceptance rate (27%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.8% at Swarthmore vs. 27.7% at Villanova.

Swarthmore vs. Villanova Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Swarthmore and Villanova? 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 Villanova University's (90%).
• Graduates from Villanova University earn a median of about $19,300 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,100 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $6,997 lower median loan debt than Villanova graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,497).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Villanova graduates ($201 vs. $273).
• More Villanova graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Swarthmore students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 87%)

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.