Swarthmore vs. Washington and Lee

Comparable Facts

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

Washington and Lee University is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (2,241 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Swarthmore College is located in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting); Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington and Lee University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Swarthmore College 7:1; Washington and Lee University 7:1.

Swarthmore vs. Washington and Lee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Swarthmore or Washington and Lee? 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 Washington and Lee ($22,469 vs. $23,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington and Lee University are 8% lower than at Swarthmore College ($18,685 vs. $20,308).
• Washington and Lee University is 3.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $2,551 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at Washington and Lee than at Swarthmore College (about $2,551 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington and Lee University than at Swarthmore College (64% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington and Lee University students is 3.7% larger than aid received by Swarthmore College students ($63,945 vs. $61,634).

Swarthmore vs. Washington and Lee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 40 points higher than at Washington and Lee (1490).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Washington and Lee).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Swarthmore College 1490/1560; Washington and Lee University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Swarthmore College 33/35; Washington and Lee University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Swarthmore - Test optional; Washington and Lee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027; Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Washington and Lee (3.87).
• Washington and Lee has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.8% at Swarthmore vs. 41.2% at Washington and Lee.

Swarthmore vs. Washington and Lee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Swarthmore and Washington and Lee? 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 Washington and Lee University's (91%).
• Graduates from Washington and Lee University earn a median of about $23,200 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,000 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Washington and Lee graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington and Lee graduates ($201 vs. $222).
• More Washington and Lee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Swarthmore students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.