Swarthmore vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

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

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Swarthmore College is located in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Swarthmore College 7:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

Swarthmore vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Swarthmore or WCU? 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 WCU ($22,469 vs. $22,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 27% lower than at Swarthmore College ($14,828 vs. $20,308).
• Swarthmore College is 507.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $54,719 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 189.8% higher at Swarthmore than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $42,895 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Chester University of Pennsylvania than at Swarthmore College (73% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 979.6% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($61,634 vs. $5,709).

Swarthmore vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 340 points higher than at WCU (1190).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 26 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Swarthmore College 1490/1560; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Swarthmore College 33/35; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Swarthmore - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at WCU (3.43).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (78.4%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.8% at Swarthmore vs. 22.4% at WCU.

Swarthmore vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Swarthmore and WCU? 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania's (68%).
• Graduates from Swarthmore College earn a median of about $16,800 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($19,500 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($201 vs. $242).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 75%)

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.